Hillsboro seeks to extend team’s storied history
Staff writer
Volleyball
Hillsboro’s volleyball team has six state titles, was state runner-up four times, and has 17 appearances at state.
“We would like to make a return appearance in the 2025 season,” said head coach Sandy Arnold, who’s entering her 22nd year at Hillsboro and was head coach for five of the six state wins.
Last year, Hillsboro ended as regional runner-up to Valley Heights and lost to Inman in the first round of sub-state.
“We return eight girls with varsity playing experience, and this core will lead us in our attempt to improve upon our record from last year and in our efforts to make it further into the post-season,” Arnold said.
Hillsboro finished with 25 victories and 14 losses last year.
Five of eight returning girls are seniors and letter winners: Reese Duerksen, Addison Jost, Talia Jost, Kingzley Ratzlaff, and Lauryn Vogt. Other returning letter winners are Daisy Klein, Ella Potucek, and Amyah Werth. The most decorated players are Ratzlaff, Vogt, Werth, and Potucek.
“Our focus early in the season will be on our passing and serving and on improving our weaker skills,” Arnold said. “We have some strong attackers, and focusing on these areas will allow them to showcase their talents and help us score points.”
Hillsboro opened its season Tuesday on the road in a quad against Little River and Ellinwood.
“The CKL league is always competitive, so every night will be a challenge, and we plan to be in the fight for a spot at the top,” Arnold said. “We also boast a very tough non-league schedule with state contenders like Little River, Ellinwood, Sedgwick, and of course, we still play bigger schools in Great Bend, Emporia, and Salina South.”
Each game night will serve as a test for the Trojans and prepare them for the competitive nature of post-season play.
Hillsboro’s next game will be Tuesday on the road in a quad against Hesston and Cheney.
Football
With only just a handful of seniors on the team this year, Trojan football is not big in numbers compared to previous seasons.
“We’re fortunate to have a solid group of returning starters this year,” coach Demetrius Cox said. “We have a solid group of returning players who will need to step up and take on leadership roles, along with several promising underclassmen.”
Key returning players are Jace Forkner, Jesiah Gooch, Zayne Haslett, Aaron Hein, Evan Jones, and Jaeten Loewen.
“Gooch earned numerous honors last season for running back and linebacker, and we’re expecting him to be a big contributor again,” Cox said.
Gooch is coming into his senior year with career totals of 190 carries for 918 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was featured on the cover of Kansas Sports magazine with other state players to watch.
“That was a great moment for him and for our program,” Cox said. “It’s always exciting to see one of our athletes recognized at that level, and it’s a reflection of the work he’s put in.”
Outside of the returning starters, the team is made up mostly of juniors and sophomores.
“We have some underclassmen who are stepping up and will make an impact,” Cox said. “One thing I’ve noticed is the energy they bring to practice. They’ve been really locked in.”
The Trojans are ranked 19th in their class and 125th overall in the state. They will open their regular season Friday on the road against Haven.
“We’ve adjusted a few things in our practice structure to focus on speed of play and we’re trying to give our guys more opportunities to react in game-like scenarios rather than just drilling,” Cox said.
Hillsboro’s first home game will be Sept. 12 against Larned.
“The tempo has been high, and I think the players have responded well, and it’s about making sure were prepared not just physically but mentally to handle the ups and downs of a game,” Cox said.
Cross-country
If the weather is hot, Hillsboro’s cross-country team trains in the morning before school.
If the weather is not so hot, cross-country runners meet near the weight room at school and run south down Adams St. to the track at Joel Wiens Stadium.
Last year, the girls’ team placed 10th at state as Quinlyn Funk placed seventh and Riley Richert 20th individually. Both girls will return this season.
“Every year is fun to watch because cross-country is an individual sport as well as a team sport,” head coach Brielle Loewen said. “Each athlete has their own goals and team goals, and I always enjoy seeing them improve.”
Loewen is entering her fifth year coaching high school and middle school in Hillsboro.
Nine of 11 runners for the boys’ team come from a large freshman class. Casen Steinert will be the only senior for the boys. Jaidyn Frantz, Quinlyn Funk, and Nora Hein are the senior girls.
“We have a great group coming out this year,” Loewen said.
The team will start its season Thursday on the road in Clearwater.
Tennis
New to Hillsboro but not new to tennis is head coach Gallagher Martin, entering his sixth year as a head tennis coach.
“I have spent the past five seasons coaching boys and girls at Trinity Catholic High School in Hutchinson,” Martin said. “We have 11 girls out this year, which is great from a numbers perspective, but not a lot of tennis experience.”
Only two seniors are on the team, Maylee Hardey and Claire Morey. They are responsible for being key players both on and off the court.
“They have brought great leadership to practice so far and in addition to being leaders for us, they will certainly be two of our top players on the court,” Martin said. “Claire Morey especially is a talented player, and I’m excited to see what she and the rest of the team can accomplish this year.”
Five juniors are on the team: Emma Bartel, Abby Beavers, Hailey Gilkey, Ruthie Paulus, and Brooklyn Thiessen.
“We are still early into practice, so it is hard to know who will separate and push for a top-six varsity spot at this time, but I have been especially impressed with Brooklyn Thiessen,” Martin said. “She is new to tennis but played a bit over the summer and has looked like one of our top players so far.”
Rounding out the team are sophomore Emerson Wesner and freshmen Bethany Boyd, Josie Gooch, and Abi Suderman.
“Abi Suderman is a name to keep an eye out on that list,” Martin said. “I think as a freshman she might push for a varsity spot.”
The team opened its season at home Tuesday at the Hillsboro Invitational. Its next meet will be Sept. 11 in Lindsborg.
“I am not sure what my expectations are, other than giving great effort and representing the town of Hillsboro well,” Martin said. “I have full faith that this team can do just that.”