EMPORIA – Hanover has quickly made winning state championships a near-annual tradition. 
 
Making a sixth straight appearance in the title game, Hanover (37-7) took down Linn (36-6) in a 25-16, 25-14 victory in the Class 1A Division II volleyball state championship at White Auditorium on Saturday. The championship was the second straight for the Wildcats and their fourth title in the last six years.  
 
“We went through a lot of adversity this season,” Hanover head coach Melissa Holle said. “We went through lots of injuries, went through about 10 different rotations and finally we were able to get everybody back for the postseason. So being able to fight through and come out on top is a great feeling.” 
 

 
After only losing one match in 2024, the 2025 season put the Wildcats in unfamiliar moments that sharpened their edge for the state tournament. Hanover lost twice to 2A qualifier Valley Heights, once to 1A II fourth-place finisher Axtell and once against Blue Valley.
 
But the one team that caused Hanover the most trouble was Linn. 
 
The two squads battled four times prior to the state tournament and it was the Linn who was the top dog in most of those matchups, winning three out of the four meetings during the regular season, including the championship match of the Twin Valley League Tournament.  
 
“There was a drive to get here and to play them in the state championship,” Holle said. “They got us in the Twin Valley League Tournament, but this is the one that matters. We put a lot of time and effort into watching them and putting our game plan together. The girls had a drive, and they wanted it.” 
 

 
Both teams dominated en route to the title matchup. Each won all their postseason matches in straight sets prior to the state tournament. Linn was also perfect in pool play and remained so after downing Axtell in straight sets in their semifinal matchup. Hanover dropped one set to Marais Des Cygnes Valley in pool play, but still went 3-0 before defeating Ingalls in the semifinals, also in straight sets. 
 
Hanover came out firing, taking control of the opening set quickly. And the score reflected that control for most of the set, with the Wildcats leading 14-4 at one point. Although Linn fought to get back in the set, Hanover rolled to a 25-16 victory. 
 
That early barrage and opening set victory built momentum for the Wildcats. And even though the Bulldogs kept pace early in the second, the Wildcats’ relentless attack proved to be too much as they went on to win 25-14, clinching the title. 
 
Bulldog head coach Amy Bott said the first-set troubles caught them off-guard and lingered for most of the match. Coupled with Hanover’s championship experience, it made it difficult for Linn to get rolling. 
 
“They played a really great complete match,” Bott said. “And although we have beaten them several times, maybe a little bit of their experience being in this position and this situation came through. But all the credit goes to them. They did a great job, and our girls battled. We were just maybe a little caught off guard, couldn't find our groove and get into it.” 
 

 
For Katie Holle, one of five Hanover seniors, winning a second straight title was the perfect way to end their high school careers.
 
“Having all the younger girls behind us, I know they'll get better and they'll do the same thing as we did, it just means a lot to finish with the girls who mean a lot to me,” she said. 
 
Ingalls took third place, defeating Axtell 25-18, 25-22. 
 

 
CLASS 1A DIVISION II 
 
At White Auditorium, Emporia 
 
Semifinals 
 
Linn def. Axtell, 25-13, 25-19; Hanover def. Ingalls, 25-6, 25-14.
 
Championship 
 
Hanover def. Linn, 25-16, 25-14
 
Third Place 
 
Ingalls def. Axtel, 25-18, 25-22