2024 VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW
 

CLASS 6A
 
2023 State champion: Mill Valley
 
2023 State runner-up: Blue Valley North
 
2023 Review: Mill Valley and Blue Valley North ended the 2023 season in a familiar spot – facing each other at the state tournament with a trophy on the line, just like in 2022. Only this was for the championship instead of third place, and this time Mill Valley won it. The Jaguars completed a 37-5 season with their first state title, outdueling Blue Valley North 25-23, 25-19 to complete the run. The runner-up Mustangs, bidding for their second title in three years, dominated Mill Valley in an early-season matchup en route to a 25-0 start. But Mill Valley honed in on its flaws and turned the tables to win the teams’ next three meetings, including the finale. Mill Valley zipped past Manhattan and Garden City, then took a three-set match from Olathe Northwest on the opening day of state to win its pool. The Jaguars then defeated Blue Valley West – a team that spoiled their season opener –  25-23, 25-20 in the semifinals. After Blue Valley North held off Olathe Northwest 25-22, 17-25, 25-21 in the other semifinal, the Mustangs couldn’t match Mill Valley’s hot start in the final and finished 38-4. Olathe Northwest topped Blue Valley West for third.
 
2024 Contenders: After scaling the Class 6A summit for the first time in 2023, there are plenty of reasons to believe Mill Valley could do it again. The Sunflower League co-champs graduated their kills leader in Loyola Chicago signee Kaitlyn Burke, but were relatively young. Returning senior middle blocker Saida Jacobs and junior setter Ella Florez were All-6A first-team choices, while senior Ashlyn Blazer and sophomore Riley Riggs played key roles in the Jaguars’ climb from fourth at state in 2022 to first. Blue Valley North has leaned on a talented group of classmates in multiple sports who are now seniors and title hungry after winning it all in 2021 and following it up with third-place and runner-up finishes. Last year’s leader, setter Janelle Green, is off to play at Cincinnati, but the Eastern Kansas League champions return 6A player of the year Logan Parks and senior Jenna McClure, an all-state second-team choice. Olathe Northwest took some heavy graduation losses, losing four Sunflower League first-teamers including Nebraska signee Skyler Pierce and Florida International’s Jillian Huckabey, after finishing 34-7 and third in 6A. Senior libero Alex Kluvkin, a Kansas State commit, is among the returnees. Blue Valley West won 31 games last season, in large part to the play of returning senior setter Lily Wedman, an All-6A first-team pick. Senior Alex Myers and sophomore Peyton Kubik helped the Jaguars reach the state semifinals and earned all-state tournament team honors. Washburn Rural adjusted to the loss of star Brooklyn DeLeye and returned to state last season. This time, the Junior Blues move forward without three-year starters Jada Ingram and Zoe Canfield, but still have experience in senior outside hitter and Washburn commit Layla Collins as well as senior libero Kate Hinck. Olathe West’s 26-win season ended in the sub-state finals with a loss to Blue Valley West for the second straight year. Senior Emma Sales and junior Ella Stowell are back to try to help the Owls clear that hurdle. Garden City ended a three-year state drought last season and graduated just three seniors. The returnees include senior outside hitter and Western Athletic Conference player of the year Piper Harris. Senior libero Lauren Welch returns for Maize, which made its first state appearance since 2015 and has a year under its belt under coach Camille Hubert. Manhattan graduated seven seniors off a state-qualifying team, but sophomore outside hitter Bailey Busch returns after leading the Indians in kills and digs. Wichita Northwest lost to Manhattan in the sub-state finals and saw a three-year streak of state qualifying end. Grizzlies alum De’Janae Arnold takes over a 21-win team that includes junior outside hitter Brooklyn Benoit, a two-year starter and six-rotation player. Shawnee Mission East went 23-12 last season and took Olathe Northwest to three sets in the sub-state finals. Junior Bekah Slaughter has over 1,000 career assists for the Lancers. 
 

CLASS 5A
 
2023 State champion: Seaman
 
2023 State runner-up: St. Thomas Aquinas
 
2023 Review: Back-to-back fourth-place finishes at state were fine for Seaman in 2021 and 2022, but both featured a little Saturday buzzkill. The Vikings fixed that last October, punctuating their strong finish to the season with a five-match run through the Class 5A tournament. The final step was a 25-19, 25-22 victory over perennial power St. Thomas Aquinas in the championship, denying the Saints back-to-back titles and their fourth crown since 2019. Seaman won 16 of its final 17 matches to finish the season 38-6 and gave coach Tatiana Dowling her 200^th career victory. Toppling Aquinas sweetened the achievement after Seaman dropped a three-set semifinal to the Saints in 2022, fell to them in pool play and the third-place match in 2021, and were even swept by Aquinas in a best-of-5 dual during the 2023 campaign before going on a late-season blitz. Seaman’s Maegan Mills and Reagan McGivern helped the Vikings maintain a lead throughout much of the championship, which they reached by defeating Spring Hill, Andover and Andover Central in pool play, followed by a straight-set semifinal victory over Maize South. Aquinas was impressive in a 25-12, 25-12 semifinal victory over Spring Hill, but settled for a 31-9 finish. Maize South secured its highest state finish by holding off Spring Hill for third.
 
2024 Contenders: Now that Seaman has found the formula for winning a state championship, the Vikings will put it to the test to see if they can repeat. They’ll no doubt feel the graduation losses of multi-sport standout Taylin Stallbaumer and middle hitter Brooklyn Gormely, and middle hitter Raegan McGivern transferred to Hayden. But all other hands are on deck. Reigning 5A player of the year Maegan Mills, a Tulsa commit, starts her final season with over 1,000 career kills. Senior Campbell Chabot already has 1,072 career assists despite sharing setter responsibilities with Stallbaumer to this point. The Vikings were relentless in their title pursuit last fall. Staying hungry will be key as last year’s runner-up, St. Thomas Aquinas, figures to be strong again with Iowa State commit and All-5A first-team selection Alea Goolsby back at outside hitter. Junior Grace Martin also provides offensive punch for the Saints, who are seeking their fourth title in six years. Maize South posted its best finish in program history last fall, finishing third at 38-5. The Mavericks were hit hard by graduation, but will build around senior outside hitter Jillian Gregory, a Wyoming commit who was named All-5A second team. Andover Central’s first victory this season will be its 100^th under coach Kayla Weidert. The Jaguars lost four seniors off a 37-3 team that won 30 consecutive matches, but middle blocker Jordyn Washington is back for her third season as a starter. Spring Hill looks to extend its six-year run atop the Frontier League after posting a fourth-place state finish. Senior Sydney Buscher was an all-league second-team choice who led the Broncos in assists. St. James Academy, the 2022 runner-up, won 33 matches before its 2023 season ended in state pool play. The Thunder graduated a majority of its roster, but senior setter Reese Messer was an All-5A first-team pick and 6-foot junior Leah Robinson adds strength at the net. Lansing stretched its state-qualifying streak to nine years last fall before finishing 26-11. Junior Avery Sands and sophomore Halle Laincz each had over 225 kills for the Lions a year ago. Andover completed Ashley Eichman’s first season as coach with a sub-state title and first state appearance since 2019. The Trojans return 6-foot-1 senior Aliyah Green, who helped Hutchinson finish third in 5A two years ago before transferring and earning All-Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail II first-team honors. Great Bend is coming off a 31-5 season and its first Western Athletic Conference title in 20 years. The Panthers return a pair of All-WAC first teamers in senior Kara Feist and sophomore Kyla Behr. A trio of young standouts are back for Blue Valley Southwest, which finished 28-9 last season with a sub-state final loss to Aquinas. Senior Hadley Porter was an All-EKL first-team pick, while senior Kaylee Tingley and junior Willow Weninger were second team. Kapaun Mt. Carmel won 30 matches last season but fell to Newton in a marathon, three-set sub-state opener. Senior Kaitlyn Cure and junior Mason Palace were All-Greater Wichita Athletic League first team for Kapaun. Bishop Carroll, 26-11 last season, returns a pair of All-GWAL first-team picks in senior Reese Daugherty and junior Ally Orth. The Golden Eagles lost to Andover Central in the sub-state finals in two close sets. Emporia junior Jade Xu earned All-Centennial League honors for the second straight year after leading the Spartans to a 25-12 mark. The outside hitter has registered 553 career kills. Salina South is optimistic about improving on a 14-win season with four returnees who earned All-AVCTL I honors. Junior setter-hitter Paityn Fritz has nearly 400 career kills, while senior Aubrey Wisker registered 250 kills after transferring in from Texas. Valley Center returns a pair of AVCTL II second-team selections in senior Teagan Canady and junior Taylor McDonald. The Hornets are coming off a 23-11 campaign. Senior Kaydence Torrez is a returning All-United Kansas Conference first-team selection for Shawnee Heights. The Wichita State commit will try to help the T-Birds improve on an 11-win season.  
 

CLASS 4A
 
2023 State champion: Bishop Miege
 
2023 State runner-up: McPherson
 
2023 Review: It’s hard to imagine a scenario Bishop Miege hasn’t experienced in winning a state-record 28 state volleyball titles. Suffice it to say most have lacked the early Day 1 turbulence the Stags encountered at the 2023 state tournament. Behind the 8 ball after an opening pool-play loss to Clearwater, Miege righted itself in a big way. The Stags advanced to the second day with straight-set victories over Eudora and Andale, then yielded just over 13 points per set in victories over Louisburg and McPherson to win their second consecutive Class 4A title and make the loss to Clearwater seem like a distant memory. Miege defeated McPherson 25-12, 25-14 in the finale to complete a 23-18 season. Subsequent losses to Andale and Eudora kept Clearwater from reaching Day 2 and provided the only hint of assistance Miege needed. The Stags, once again battle-tested by the 6A and 5A powers in the Eastern Kansas League, outlasted Andale 25-20, 25-20 in two hard-fought pool-play sets. But in the final, they were too much for McPherson, which went unbeaten against Louisburg, Holton and Circle in pool play, then edged Andale in the semis. The runner-up Bullpups finished 33-10, while Andale finished 30-12 after rallying past Louisburg in three sets for third.
 
2024 Contenders: Lindsay Zych-Franco’s return to her alma mater as coach has yielded two state titles in two seasons, and Bishop Miege was youthful enough in 2023 to keep the arrow pointing upward. The Stags graduated three players off last year’s state roster, while the others are now seniors or sophomores. One of the veterans, outside hitter Lauren Lopez, earned 4A player of the year honors after leading Miege to a 23-18 record and past McPherson for back-to-back championships. Senior Trinniti Stevens was also All-4A first team for Miege, while senior Kirston Verhulst earned second team. Sophomore Georgia LeMay also made a big impact, giving the Stags a strong nucleus to endure the rigors of the Eastern Kansas League. McPherson was even younger with just one graduate, and features a talented multi-sport duo in juniors Brooke Doile and Ava Romero, who were both All-AVCTL III first-team selections for the 33-10 Bullpups. Another perennial 4A power, Andale, is transitioning to a new coach, as Scott Johnson has replaced Kaylie Bergkamp, who guided the Indians to the 2021 title and a third-place finish last fall. Johnson’s top returnee is All-4A and All-AVCTL III-IV first-team outside hitter Hayden Grimes, who registered 403 kills last season. Andale’s league rival, Clearwater, is coming off an AVCTL III-IV championship and 34-5 campaign. The future remains bright with senior Kenzy McArtor, an All-4A selection and the league’s reigning player of the year, and classmate Kaylee Hampton back as six-rotation players. Senior Madison Williams was also an all-league first-team pick. Circle also qualified for state last season after running the AVCTL III-IV gauntlet and graduated talented players in Jacqueline Corcoran, Mia Fox and Reagan Smith. Senior Katelyn Paul, a two-year starter, will move to a six-rotation role for the Thunderbirds. Seven players graduated from Holton’s state-qualifying team a year ago, but the Wildcats discovered an emerging standout in rising sophomore Tinley Wilson, who was second on the team with 257 kills. Three seniors from the state roster, including Elizabeth Schuster, are back after a 24-win season. Eudora reached the state tournament in its first year under Brooke Hopper and earned a pool-play victory over Clearwater after the Indians knocked off Miege. The Cardinals return senior outside hitter Adalyn Hemphill to help offset their graduation losses. Louisburg has found ways to be a state tournament regular and finished fourth a year ago. Sophomore setter Adelyn Moore had over 400 assists in her debut season for the Wildcats. Rock Creek won 28 matches before its postseason run was stopped by Holton. Senior Ayla Klingenberg is coming off her second straight school record-setting season for kills (334) and will try to help the Mustangs return to state for the second time in three years. Clay Center returns four All-North Central Kansas League players, including setter Janae Crimmins and hitter Lily Edwards, from a 24-12 team. The Tigers fell just short of state a year ago, stretching Andale to three sets in the sub-state championship. Chanute finished with 26 victories last season and Tonganoxie had 24, but both fell to Miege in sub-state play. Junior Finley Rieke earned All-Frontier League honorable mention for Tonganoxie. Seniors Samee Scott and Merle Sieler return as All-Great West Athletic Conference first-team selections for Ulysses, which posted a 28-10 record and fell to McPherson in the sub-state finals.
 

 
CLASS 3A
 
2023 State champion: Olathe Heritage Christian
 
2023 State runner-up: Smoky Valley
 
2023 Review: Olathe Heritage Christian wasn’t invincible in its quest for four consecutive state titles and a Class 3A three-peat, but the experience-rich Chargers were still the ones celebrating at the end after a 25-9, 25-17 victory over Smoky Valley in the championship match. With all-tournament selections Cy Rae Campbell, Anna Schenk, Grace Schmedding and Rachel Van Gorp leading the way, Heritage Christian shook off a three-set loss to Beloit in its final pool-play match, drew the top seed for the semifinals in a three-way tiebreaker with Smoky Valley and Beloit, then outdueled Cheney and the runner-up Vikings for the title. Heritage Christian, which began its title streak by winning the 2A crown in 2020, ran its four-year mark to 144-22 with the championship, including a 38-5 record in its latest conquest. Prior to the Beloit loss, the Chargers yielded no more than 12 points in a set in sweeping Smoky Valley and Goodland. After defeating Cheney by a pair of 25-17 scores in the semifinals, they drew a rematch with Smoky Valley, which outlasted pool winner Silver Lake 25-22, 23-25, 25-23 in the other semi. Silver Lake, back at state for the first time since 2019, defeated Cheney for third.
 
2024 Contenders: If there’s a silver lining for Class 3A teams trying to unseat Olathe Heritage Christian after three consecutive state titles (four when its 2A title of 2020 is added), it’s that two-thirds of last year’s Chargers are now alums. Heritage Christian featured several standout seniors in its 38-5 title run last season, including 3A player of the year Rachel Van Gorp, All-3A first-team selection Cy Rae Campbell and second-teamer Grace Schmedding. That could create a window of opportunity for a perennial contender like Smoky Valley, which lost to the Chargers in the 2023 title match. The runner-up Vikings graduated Fort Hays State signee Hope Duncan and veteran setter Adrian Hazelwood, but return a unanimous All-Central Kansas League pick in senior Katja Blanchat. Cheney is no doubt eager for a changing of the guard after balancing three state runner-up finishes and three thirds with a third fourth-place showing last season. The Central Plains champion graduated standout Alex Bittner, but should get offensive punch from senior middle hitter Reese Hedstrom, who had 207 kills last season. Silver Lake defeated Cheney in last year’s third-place match and will try to improve on a 29-12 season after a big junior campaign by Ella Bolan, who led the Eagles with 317 kills. Beloit entered state as the top seed last season, won 35 consecutive matches and even topped Heritage Christian in state pool play. A loss to Smoky Valley cost the Trojans a semifinal berth, but the perennial qualifiers should be strong again with All-3A and All-North Central Activities Association first-team selection Addison Budke back and within reach of 2,000 career kills. Twins Kailyn and Jaidyn Follis are also returning All-NCAA first-team selections. Neodesha has its own offensive standout in left-hander Prayer Roebuck, who surpassed 1,000 career kills last year as a junior and teamed with converted setter Kimmy Combs to lead the Bluestreaks to state. Nemaha Central posted a 38-3 record last season but fell to Beloit in the sub-state finals. Senior Cali Honeyman earned All-3A honorable mention and All-Big Seven first-team honors.  Hayden had a 15-24 record last season, but got a boost with senior Reagan McGivern’s transfer from 5A champion Seaman. The 6-foot-2 middle hitter played a key role in the Vikings’ title run. Wichita Trinity knocked off a 31-win Wichita Collegiate in the sub-state semifinals and returns a strong nucleus with All-Central Plains first-team choices Regan Allen and Elle Davis along with second-team pick Audrey Smith. Smith is part of a junior-heavy Knights squad that includes Ava Deutsch, Dominique Schellenger, Grace Barrett and Jordyn Whitfield. Collegiate graduated a multi-season standout in Avery Elofsson, but junior Carlyle Johnson, an All-AVCTL IV pick, returns after starting for the Spartans the past two years. Riverton took down 30-win Frontenac to earn a state berth and returns senior Lexie Mallatt, an All-CNC second-team choice. Frontenac returns an all-league duo in junior Lucy Anderson, a unanimous first-team selection, and senior second-team pick Audrina Shay. 
 

CLASS 2A
 
2023 State champion: Hillsboro
 
2023 State runner-up: Hoxie
 
2023 Review: Hillsboro set the bar incredibly high in 2022, winning 44 of 45 matches and capturing the Class 2A title. The ensuing edition of the Trojans may not have matched that lofty record, but they proved more than capable of a similar end game. Hillsboro rolled through five straight-set matches at the state tournament, punctuating the run with a 25-11, 25-22 victory over Hoxie in the final to earn the program’s sixth state title. The Trojans finished 39-5 in going back to back, avenging three of the losses prior to state. Led by senior standouts Savannah Shahan and Zaylee Werth, Hillsboro handily defeated Maranatha Christian and Sedan before wrapping up pool play with a 26-24, 25-20 victory over Smith Center, the same foe it split state championship matches with the previous two seasons. Round 3 of Hillsboro-Smith Center failed to materialize, as Hoxie downed Smith Center 25-13, 25-12 in the semifinals. But Hillsboro, which defeated Inman in a two-set semifinal, quickly stopped Hoxie’s momentum in the opening game and finished off its 83^rd victory in the two-year title run. Smith Center rebounded to defeat Inman for third.
 
2024 Contenders: Not unexpectedly, Hillsboro joined the repeat champions party last season with the last of its 39 victories coming against Hoxie in the 2A championship match. The Trojans entered the season with a strong senior 1-2 punch of Savannah Shahan and Zaylee Werth, and they delivered All-3A first-team swansongs, with Werth earning player of the year honors. Those departures heighten the challenge for a Hillsboro three-peat, but coach Sandy Arnold will enter 2024 with a proven junior duo in Kingzley Ratzlaff and Lauryn Vogt, and a libero in Amyah Werth who was named to the all-state tournament team as a freshman. For Hoxie to complete a title quest, senior Emily Bainter will no doubt play a huge role. She registered 436 kills as a junior to earn All-2A and All-Mid-Continent League first-team honors. Smith Center’s streak of three consecutive title games ended, but the Lady Red still rebounded from a semifinal loss to Hoxie to finish third. With all-staters Camryn Hutchinson and Gracie Kirchhoff graduated, the evolution of young talent will be important. Denyse Kattenberg will take over as head coach after the retirement of longtime Lady Red coach Nick Linn. Inman is coming off back-to-back fourth-place finishes and has one of the state’s top players in junior Suttyn Harris, a multi-sport standout who already has nearly 1,100 career kills. Junior outside hitter Kenna Woods was an all-state tournament selection. While it didn’t advance to the state semifinals, Valley Heights had a solid showing in pool play, defeating Hoxie and taking St. Mary’s Colgan to three sets. Junior Ava Smith has been a big part of Valley Heights’ success, registering 662 kills in her first two seasons. Colgan returns a unanimous All-CNC first-team pick in senior Dalanie Meek, who helped the Panthers win their league title, advance to state for the seventh consecutive year and help coach Cathy Oplotnik earn her 500^th career victory. Seniors Tate Sher and Zion Jones helped Maranatha earn its third state berth last season and received All-Kaw Valley accolades – Sher on the first team. Sedan leaned heavily on seniors last season to make its first state appearance since 1978, but should have some momentum after a 23-15 season. The Blue Devils’ Cinderella story was much different than that of Sedgwick, who posted a stellar 37-2 record but fell to Hillsboro in the sub-state finals. The Cardinals will reload behind junior Kalyn Sampson, an All-Heart of America first-team pick. Likewise, Jefferson North will look to clear the final sub-state hurdle after finishing 32-7 with a loss to Maranatha. In the west, Wichita County is coming off a 26-12 season highlighted by the play of All-Hi Plains League selections Emma Berning and Ashlynn Ricke, who return.
 

 
CLASS 1A DIVISION I
 
2023 State champion: Little River
 
2023 State runner-up: South Gray
 
2023 State champion: With a perfect blend of seniors and seasoned underclassmen, Little River made sure the wait for a third state volleyball title was much shorter than the second. After winning their first championship in 38 years in 2022, the Redskins successfully defended the Class 1A Division I crown, completing a 42-2 campaign with a three-set victory over South Gray in the championship. Little River dominated the decisive set 25-7 to send its five seniors out on top. The Redskins’ trio of Alaina Eck, Kami Grasser and Aubrey Olander earned all-tournament honors as Little River won all five of its state matches. The Redskins rolled past Olpe and Clifton-Clyde before completing pool play with a three-set victory over Spearville, an outcome that eliminated the Lancers. Little River had to draw on its three-set experience the following day after South Gray evened the championship match at a set apiece by closing with a 7-2 run to take the second 25-23. The Redskins responded in a big way, scoring the first 10 points of the third. Little River advanced to the final with a 25-17, 25-13 victory over Centralia, which rebounded to defeat Clifton-Clyde for third.
 
2024 Contenders: With a 117-12 record over the last three seasons and back-to-back state titles, Little River has qualified for dynasty status in Class 1A Division I. Alaina Eck graduated after winning her second straight player of the year honor in the classification, and she and classmates Aubrey Olander and Ashley Stephenson went out as All-1A I first-team selections. A tough act to follow, for sure, but Little River has the tools to reload. Junior Havana Olander will move outside from her middle blocker spot and take a more prominent role in the offense. Adelynne Strecker, Olander’s classmate, is a seasoned libero and setter Evie Look will help engineer the offense. All have enough big-match experience to keep the Redskins rolling. Like Flinthills the year before, South Gray took Little River to three sets in the state championship match but was unable to dethrone the Redskins. Graduation also took a toll on the runner-up Rebels, but senior outside hitter Allie Reed is back after leading the team with 350 kills and earning All-1A I first-team honors in a banner 41-win season for the program. One of South Gray’s key state victories came against Centralia, which reset after losses to the two state finalists to finish third. The tradition-rich Panthers lost just one senior off a 32-14 team, and return an all-state first-team selection in senior Oen Deters. Setter Tatum Kramer had nearly 800 assists in her first full season at the position. Another Twin Valley League member, Clifton-Clyde, is coming off a fourth-place finish in its first state appearance in four years. Versatile junior Sevy Wurtz returns after leading the Eagles in assists and aces, which earned her All-1A I second-team and All-TVL first-team honors. After qualifying for state for the first time in its brief history, Wichita Central Christian hopes to make it a trend. The Lions knocked off 2023 runner-up Flinthills on the Mustangs’ home court to win the sub-state, then went 1-2 at state. Junior Jaye McCurdy had 309 kills and 398 assists last season for Central Christian, which placed junior setter-opposite Audrey Arnold on the all-state tournament team. The Lions’ first state victory came against Rawlins County, which finished 20-20 last season and returns Tayten Dewey, an All-Northwest Kansas League second-team choice. Spearville made its fifth consecutive state appearance last season and took Little River to three sets in pool play. The Lancers, who finished 30-10, got good play in the postseason from junior middle hitter Makiah Kliesen, who landed a spot on the all-state tournament team. Spearville’s sub-state path included a championship-match win over St. John, which finished 29-8 last season and returns kills leader Lydia Reed (264), an All-Central Prairie League second-team selection. Olpe has made back-to-back state appearances and returns junior Kayla Steinke, an All-Lyon County second-team choice. Senior Harlee Randall is already the career leader for kills (1,058) and blocks (254) at Flinthills, which lost just twice in 38 matches last seasons. Randall is also on track to become the Mustangs’ career hitting percentage leader. Goessel is coming off a 29-10 season that ended with a loss to Little River in the sub-state finals. The Bluebirds’ trio of Brooklyn Wuest and sisters Aimee and Abbigail Funk are seniors who have started since their freshman year. Stockton fell one victory short of state last season, but has high hopes with the return of junior Aubrey Kesler, who registered 408 kills a year ago.
 

 CLASS 1A DIVISION II
 
2023 State champion: Lebo
 
2023 State runner-up: Hanover
 
2023 Review: Between the state basketball and volleyball tournaments, Lebo and Hanover have become well-acquainted in high stakes contests, and the 2023 volleyball get-together was no different. Playing in its fourth consecutive championship match with Hanover as the foe for the third straight year, Lebo repeated as Class 1A Division II champs with a 25-20, 25-10 victory. Hanover served notice it was ready to take back the crown it won in 2021 by defeating Lebo 25-18, 25-22 in the pool-play round. But the Wolves were ready a day later in the rematch, backing up a three-set semifinal victory over Wallace County with a dominant championship performance. Lebo, which completed a 40-3 season after going 44-1 a year earlier, placed senior Audrey Peek and juniors Saige Hadley and Abi Jones on the all-tournament team. Hanover gained a measure of revenge a few months later in the 1A Division II basketball final, but Lebo improved to 2-1 against the Wildcats the last three seasons with the state volleyball championship trophy on the line. Hanover, which finished 36-6, reached the final with a 25-10, 25-20 victory over Beloit-St. John’s/Tipton. Wallace County finished third, replicating a pool-play victory over Beloit-St. John’s/Tipton by winning the last two sets after dropping the first.
 
2024 Contenders: Back-to-back champs. Eighty-four victories over two seasons. Reigning player of the year returning for her senior year. These are good times in Lebo, which looks plenty potent heading into the fall despite graduating four seniors from its 2023 title team. Senior outside hitter Saige Hadley was chosen as Class 1A Division II’s top player after registering 505 kills and 388 digs during the Wolves’ 40-3 campaign, which ended with a 25-20, 25-10 victory over Hanover in the championship. Hadley and fellow four-year starter Abi Jones have accumulated huge career numbers already, and form a duo that will be tough to match. The Wolves graduated a standout in Audrey Peek, but senior Siara Crouch is another talented returnee that will make them formidable once again. That’s not to say Hanover, the 2020 and 2021 state champion, is eager to concede another title to the Wolves. The Twin Valley League champions defeated Lebo in state pool play before falling to the Wolves in the finale. Senior Anna Jueneman, an All-1A II first-team choice, and sophomores Drew and Gracie Bruna will fuel a loaded Wildcat offense. Wallace County defeated all of its state foes except Lebo last season to finish third last October in its first tournament appearance since 2014. Senior Jaelyn Daily has started since her freshman year and registered 221 kills last season. Senior Carlie Brummer provides quality experience for Beloit-St. John’s/Tipton, which finished 36-6 and fourth at state for the second consecutive season. Brummer, a multi-sport standout, earned All-1A II second-team honors, after registering 273 skills in an injury-shortened season. Wheatland-Grinnell has qualified for state the last four seasons. The Thunderhawks, who won the Western Kansas Liberty League, graduated a key player in Karoline Schroeder, but senior setter Emily Heier lends an experienced hand to the offense, recording 598 assists last season. Bucklin knocked off top-seeded Ingalls in a marathon sub-state final before going 0-3 at state. The Red Aces graduated middle hitter Sydnie Jones, who had nearly 500 kills last season. But everyone else is back, including All-Southern Plains-Iroquois honorable mention recipients Emmerson Kirk and Tristan Stout. Ingalls returns an All-1A II first-team pick in junior Olivia Stein, who led the Bulldogs to a 26-9 record. Argonia posted a 39-6 record last season and ended a 10-year state tournament drought under first-year coach Emily Coleman. Junior Autumn Coleman returns after leading the Raiders in kills. Elyria Christian made its first state trip since 2012 and lost just three players to graduation. Senior Laney Reiff earned All-Wheat State first-team honors. Senior Chloe Traffas, an All-1A II second-team choice, returns for Attica, which is coming off a 36-5 season that ended with a sub-state final loss to Argonia. Traffas and classmate Zoie Redgate were among six underclassmen on the All-Heart of the Plains first team. That group included Pratt-Skyline’s Kory Anschutz and Grace Hoffman, Hutchinson Central Christian’s Belle Barnett and Pretty Prairie’s Kayleigh Vogl. Waverly finished 14-18 last season, but reached the sub-state finals before falling to Lebo. Senior Josie Romig, a unanimous All-Lyon County selection, had 261 kills a year ago.