LAKIN — No. 4 ranked 3A Hoisington made the trip to Lakin pay off with a 25-18, 25-18 victory over the Broncs to qualify for the 3A state volleyball tournament at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.
"The girls and I all agreed that the 3-hour trip to Lakin went pretty fast," Riedl said. "We came out slow in our games, but it was due to nerves and not due to the drive. It was the drive home that took forever."
Hoisington settled in after starting behind in both matches. In the semifinals, Lakin defeated Southwestern Heights, 25-14, 25-11 and Hoisington battled past Goodland, 25-21, 25-21.
"We started out each match pretty nervous and uptight. Once we settled in, we played well. It wasm't our best volleyball, but we did what we needed to do to win. We kept their composure when we got down by 6-7 points in the first set against Lakin. We stuck with the plan until we got things back under control, so I was proud of them for that.
The Cardinals will play Riverton (36-4), Holton (34-9) and Osage City (27-12) in pool play at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. The Cardinals were one point away from playing for the state championship last year, but lost 25-21, 22-25, 25-23 to runner-up Nemaha Central.
Hoisington features University of Illinois recruit Sofia Simic along with veterans Kelsi Maier, Addison Hanzlick, Brynn Tarlton, Kinley Wilkens and Libero Miya Nachtigal from last year's state team.
"Sofia's offensive power is amazing," Riedl said. "Sofia is a 6-rotation outside hitter. She works hard on defense to cover as much ground as she can with her length."
The Cardinals feature a balanced and versatile lineup.
Hoisington is the only 3A team returning from last year's state tournament.
"That state experience helps to keep their minds right by knowing how much they really wanted to get back to Hutchinson," Riedl said. "Unfortunately, there were still lots of nerves, but the nerves were there because of how much they really wanted this. Now that we’ve made it to Hutchinon, the experience will help more from this point going forward."
HOISINGTON (36-4)
CREDIT KSHSAA COVERED
Key Players--Sofia Simic, jr., OH; Kelsi Maier, sr., MB/OH; Kinley Wilkens, jr., MB/OH; Brynn Tarlton, jr., S; Addi Hanzlick, jr., MB; Miya Nachtigal, sr., DS; Reese Vaughn, so., S; Mila Simic, fr., MB; Brynlee Schremmer, fr., OPP; Rylee Vaughn, sr., DS; Marley Bittel, jr., RS/MB; Reece Aylward, so., DS.
Hoisington making second straight state appearance, sixth in history, and finished second in 2011 when coach Mykela Riedl played and third in 2024.....Riedl is 128-35 in four years as head coach of her alma mater, recording her 100th win earlier this season. … Cardinals won titles at Russell and Hoisington Invitationals and were third at the Central Kansas League tournament. … Hoisington won the CKL regular-season title. … Half of Cardinals’ losses came to 2A qualifier and league foe Hillsboro and another to 2A unbeaten Ellinwood. … Sub-state win over Goodland avenged loss to Cowgirls earlier in the season. … Sofia Simic had 464 winners going into sub-state play and went over 1,500 career winners this season. … She also has 220 digs. … Maier has added 261 winners and 252 digs and Mila Simic has 120 winners and Wilkens has 145 winners. … Nachtigal has 285 digs. … Vaughn has 490 assists and 44 aces. … Talton has 443 assists this year and over 750 in her career.
HUTCHINSON 3A POOL A—Silver Lake 41-1, Wichita Trinity 28-5, Ellsworth 32-8, Hesston 26-12; Wichita Trinity vs. Ellsworth, 10 a.m.; Silver Lake vs. Hesston; Wichita Trinity vs. Hesston; Silver Lake vs. Ellsworth; Hesston vs. Ellsworth; Silver Lake vs. Wichita Trinity
HUTCHINSON 3A POOL B—Riverton 36-4, Hoisington 36-4, Holton 34-9, Osage City 27-12; Hoisington vs. Holton, 10 a.m.; Riverton vs. Osage City; Hoisington vs. Osage City; Holton vs. Riverton; Holton vs. Osage City; Hoisington vs. Riverton
