HUTCHISON – Bishop Miege knew it had its work cut out for it heading into the Class 4A state tournament in Hutchinson.

The Stags’ regular season was challenging, posting a sub-.500 record while playing in a stacked Eastern Kansas League. Despite the dominant postseason reputation of the Stags, they found themselves as the No. 8 seed for the 4A state tournament.

Seeding has never been an issue for the Stags and were certainly no problem for the Stag’s senior-packed lineup, who pushed their way to the top once again.

“We have six really experienced seniors who have been in this game for three years now,” Bishop Miege coach Lindsey Franco said.

Miege took its semifinal match from McPherson, beating the Bullpups 25-10, 25-21, to advance to the championship. The Stags then topped Rock Creek 25-22, 25-18 in the championship match to clinch their third straight title and state-record 29th overall.

“I knew as soon as the ball went to one of our seniors, this game was over,” Franco said. “All tournament, they were ready.” 
 

A key factor in the championship win was senior Trinniti Stevens.

“I know that I played my best; I know that everyone on this team played their best,” Stevens said. “Really good way to end out my senior year.”

The seniors, throughout their whole careers at Miege, wanted to be the best. Just four years ago, the Stags found themselves playing in the consolation match after falling to Ottawa in the semifinals. 

“All the seniors, we were there when we got third at state our freshman year,” Miege senior Lauren Lopez said. “We wanted that four-peat, but we got three instead.”

Sophomore setter Maryn Dean and Samantha Schleicher stepped into huge roles this year.

“After winning these past two years, it makes us want to work harder to do this again,” Dean said. “The seniors are our biggest role models.”
 

With huge kills from Stevens and Lopez, the Stags took control of the title match. Rock Creek tried to find an answer but never could gain enough footing to take a set from Miege.

But the season was still a historic one for the Mustangs. They set a school record for victories and matched the highest finish in program history with its runner-up showing, also taking second in Class 3A in 2008. The Mustangs had reached the finals with a 25-23, 21-25, 25-20 win over Hayden in the semifinals.

“I am so proud of every single player we have; they fought incredibly hard to be here,” Rock Creek coach Alli Snapp said. “We have so many seniors and they all fit their roles so well. They were freshmen when I came in as coach, so it is hard to see them go.”

Franco had mentioned how hard and competitive this 4A state championship weekend was and Miege’s road to the semifinals was anything but easy. The Stags opened tourney play with a thrilling 25-22, 27-29, 27-25 win over No. 1 seed Clay Center and also needed three sets to fight off Holton 25-19, 22-25, 25-23 in pool play.

But that’s nothing new for the Stags and once they hit Saturday’s semifinals, they were their dominant selves.

“This has been the most evenly matched 4A state tournament,” Franco said. “This competition has been tremendous.”

While the championship was the third straight for Miege, it marked Franco’s fourth straight title as head coach. She also led Lansing to the Class 5A state championship in 2021 before taking the head coach position at her alma mater, Miege.

“I wish I could play more Miege volleyball with this team and coach Franco,” Lopez said.

Hayden finished third, beating McPherson in three sets in the third-place match, 21-25, 25-15, 25-16.
 

CLASS 4A

SEMIFINALS

Bishop Miege def. McPherson, 25-10, 25-21

Rock Creek def. Hayden, 25-23, 21-25, 25-20

CHAMPIONSHIP

Bishop Miege def. Rock Creek, 25-22, 25-18

THIRD PLACE

Hayden def. McPherson, 21-25, 25-15, 25-16