By Staff

            GOESSEL – On Saturday at sub-state volleyball for Class 1A Division I, Little River scored a trip to the state tournament for the second season in a row by out dueling two tough opponents in Canton/Galva and Goessel.

            Winning sub-state gives the Lady Redskins a 35-4 record for the season as they head to Dodge City where they will be the fourth seed. Little River their attempt for a state title by facing number five seed Spearville at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Others in the same pool as the Lady Redskins are number one seed Rosalia/Flint Hills at 37-2 and number eight seed Olpe who is 24-15 on the season.

            Playing in the other pool at state will be number two seeded Sylvan/Lucas (37-2), number three seed Pretty Prairie (36-4), sixth seed Highland/Doniphan West (34-5), and seventh seed St. Francis (29-9).

            At the sub-state in Goessel, Little River had a first-round bye before facing Canton/Galva in the semifinal match. After the Eagles put up a good fight in the first set before the Lady Redskins were able to get a 25-20-win, Little River dominated the second match with a 25-11 victory.

            In the sub-state final against host Goessel, Little River was challenged in both of their straight set wins, winning by three points in the first set, 25-22, and then holding the Bluebirds off in the second set to get the 27-25 victory and a trip to the state tournament.

            “Goessel gave us everything they had,” pointed out Little River head coach Kim Rolfs. “I knew watching them in their previous matches we would have our hands full. Our Little River girls responded and competed with some grit to bring home the first-place trophy.”

            Chenzi DeBaere and Kate Ellwood directed the Lady Redskin offensive attack in the two matches by dishing out 21 and 17 assists, respectively, while Aubrey Olander and Alaina Eck topped the team in recorded kills with 17 and 14 each. Eck and Mea DeBaere led Little River in digs made as they both made 28. Ashley Stephenson and Havana Olander both made seven blocks on the day with Aubrey Olander chipping in with five. Kami Grasser had three service aces as well.

            Coach Rolfs concluded her sub-state reflections by adding, “We have had some really good success this year and wanted to get back to the state tournament for the second year in a row. The girls are extremely excited to see what we can accomplish at the state level.”

 (The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)