Trojans, Bluebirds sweep regionals
Staff writers
Hillsboro
The Trojans are on that path that could lead to state after sweeping regional competition Monday afternoon in Hillsboro.
The Trojans beat Valley Heights, Belleville County, and Remington.
Hillsboro will head to sub-state competition Saturday hosted at Moundridge.
They will open up playing in the second match against Sedgwick.
If they were to win, Hillsboro would move on to play the winner between Moundridge and Chase County that same day.
“As always, our ultimate goal is to reach the state tournament in Dodge City,” coach Sandy Arnold said.
Before competing in regionals, the Trojans celebrated their seniors Thursday in their last regular games of the season.
Hillsboro swept Lebo 3-0 to finish with a 27-9 regular season record.
“We are looking forward to making a strong push into postseason,” Arnold said. “We expect to be playing our best volleyball at this time of year, applying all that we have worked on throughout the season, sharpening our strengths and making progress in areas that need improvement.”
Goessel
The Bluebirds swept regional competition Tuesday against West Elk and Crest.
“It is good to get past this first test,” coach Crysta Guhr said.
In a region with 13 teams, the Bluebirds (26-10) were seeded third; Crest (15-15) is seeded sixth. and West Elk (8-24) 11th.
“We will have to play our best at this time of the season,” Guhr said. “We have demonstrated resiliency and creativity in some close games, which is good.”
The Bluebirds will be favored to advance to sub-state tournament Saturday, with the possibility of facing Flint Hills High, seeded second in the regional tournament.
Goessel defeated Flint Hills last week.
“What a gift to be able to play Flint Hills when they played well against us,” Guhr said. “Flint Hills will likely be the team to beat again in substate. Now we know how well they can play.”
The substate tournament site will be determined after regional matches have finished.
Centre
The Cougars ended their regular season Thursday, celebrating their seniors and beating Wakefield 2-0.
Centre also played Flint Hills and lost 2-1.
“Sydney Smith has continued to lead both our offense in assists and kills and our defense in digs,” coach Amy Finch said. “Addison Kitzmiller and Hadleigh Felpel have upped our blocking game and doubled our stuff blocks stats.
“Jaycie Stika has had to serve several roles for us and is again back in our setters rotation. She took on any job I gave her with grace and aggressiveness.”
Centre traveled to Hanover Tuesday evening for regionals, playing against both Hanover and Natoma.
“We should give Hanover some good competition and hopefully take Natoma,” Finch said before the matches.
Centre did take Natoma in two sets but wasn’t able to repeat against Hanover, losing in two sets.
The Cougars are regional runners-up.
Marion
The Warriors ended their season Monday night after losing to Berean and Chase County during regional play.
Marion defeated Solomon in a third match, finishing 1-2 for the day.
Peabody-Burns
Peabody-Burns traveled to Linn Tuesday evening to play against Stafford and Linn in regional competition.
Unable to secure victories, the Warriors ended their season with losses.