RANKED #1 IN CLASS 3A

By William / www.mcpherson-county-ks.com

After finishing second at the state tournament in 2020, the Smoky Valley volleyball team has lots to live up to in 2021 and they got off to a great start on Saturday by winning the Central Kansas League Preseason Tournament.

Despite losing six quality seniors from that 2020 team, the Lady Vikings come into the 2021 season ranked as pre-season number one in Class 3A.

Losing to Nickerson in pool play, the Lady Vikings bounced back and smothered the Panthers in the tournament championship match, scoring a two-set, 25-17, 25-22 sweep.

With the win, Smoky Valley finished the day 5-1 with victories over Haven, Hoisington, Pratt and Hillsboro before beating Nickerson in the finals.

“We had a great day on the court and we are so excited for what the season will bring,” noted Lady Viking head coach Sharlene Ramsey. “We had girls participating in their first varsity matches of their career and each handled the challenge very well.”

For the day, senior Abby Rose led the way recording 43 kills while making 12 blocks and 31 digs. Fellow senior, Madi Tolle finished with 26 kills, 19 blocks and 14 digs while sophomore Hope Duncan contributed with 21 kills and 28 digs and true freshman Katja Blanchat made 11 blocks.

Coach Ramsey concluded her post-tournament reflections by adding, “Our seniors had solid performances in a variety of ways and will lead this team through the ups and downs in a match. We always feel like if we can compete well in the Central Kansas League Tourney, it is a good sign of what’s to come since it is one of the toughest leagues for volleyball in the state.”

Up next for the Lady Viking spikers will be on Thursday when they travel to Abilene to battle host Abilene, Thomas More Prep, and Concordia.

SMOKY VALLEY CKL TOURNEY RESULTS:

POOL PLAY:

Vs. Haven – Lady Vikings won 25-17, 25-11

  • Highlights =
  • Kills = Abby Rose had 10 while both Madi Tolle and Hope Duncan each had 5.
  • Digs = Adrian Hazelwood recorded 9 with Chloe Patrick getting 7 and Aubrey boldra having 6.
  • Assists = Adrian Hazelwood led the team with 19.

Vs. Hoisington – Lady Vikings won 25-14, 25-18

  • Highlights =
  • Kills = Abby Rose had 9 while Madi Tolle had 4.
  • Serves = Madi Tolle went 16-of-16 and Adrian Hazelwood was 12-of-12.
  • Blocks = Abby Rose recorded 2 solo and 2 assisted.
  • Digs = Hope Duncan led the team with 9, Chloe Patrick had 8 while both Abby Rose and Aubrey Boldra each had 6.
  • Assists = Adrian Hazelwood recorded 11 while Avery Vanderwege had 5.

Vs. Pratt – Lady Vikings won 25-18, 25-11

  • Highlights =
  • Kills = Abby rose led with 9 while Hope Duncan had 6 and Madi Tolle recorded 3.
  • Serves = Madi Tolle went 11-of-11, Laini Haigh went 10-of-11 and Avery Vanderwege hit 8-of-8.
  • Blocks = Both Abby Rose and Madi Tolle recorded 1 solo and 3 assisted.
  • Digs = Adrian Hazelwood and Aubrey Boldra each had 7 while Avery Vanderwege had 5, Chloe Patrick had 4 and Madi Tolle, Laini Haigh, and Breanne Peters each added 3.
  • Assists = Adrian Hazelwood scored 19.

Vs. Nickerson = Lady Vikings lost 22-25, 15-25

  • Highlights Include:
  • Kills = Hope Duncan – 5, Abby Rose – 4, Madi Tolle – 3; Adrian Hazelwood – 3.
  • Serves = Hope Duncan went 8-of-8, Avery Vanderwege went 7-of-7.
  • Blocks = Madi Tolle had 1 solo and 3 assisted, Abby Rose had 1 sole, Katja Blanchat had 2 assisted and Hope Duncan had 1 assisted.
  • Assists = Aubrey Boldra and Abby Rose each had 8, Adrian Hazelwood had 12.

BRACKET PLAY:

Semi-Final Vs. Hillsboro = Lady Vikings won 25-22, 25-21

  • Highlights Included:
  • Kills = Abby Rose had 10, Madi Tolle had 7, Hope Duncan had 4, Katja Blanchat and Adrian Hazelwood each had 3.
  • Serves = Laini Haigh went 8-of-8, Avery Vanderwege went 11-of-12.
  • Digs = Aubrey Boldra had 8, Avery Vanderwege had 7, Adrian Hazelwood had 6 and both Hope Duncan and Abby Rose each had 5.

CHAMPIONHIP MATCH Vs. Nickerson = Lady Vikings won 25-17, 25-22

  • Highlights included:
  • Kills = Hope Duncan recorded 8 while Madi Tolle had 4.
  • Serves = Adrian Hazelwood went 12-of-12, Laini Haigh went 11-of-11, and Hope Duncan was 13-of-14.
  • Digs = Abby Rose scored 6 while Hope Duncan had 5.
  • Assists = Adrian Hazelwood recorded 13.
  • Blocks = Madi Tolle had 1 solo and 3 assisted while Katja Blanchat had 1 solo and 2 assisted.

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