ELLINWOOD — No. 2 ranked Ellinwood (39-2) defeated Hays TMP, 25-23, 25-14 to qualify for the 2A state volleyball championship after beating Sterling, 25-13, 25-11 in the semifinals. Ellinwood qualified for state volleyball in 2021 and 2018.
Ellinwood competes against Sedgwick (36-5), Valley Heights (29-9) and Highland Doniphan West (27-12) at Dodge City Friday. The Eagles start pool play against Doniphan West. The Eagles defeated state qualifiers St. John, Little River, Otis-Bison and Hoxie. 4A qualifier Clay Center and 3A qualifier Beloit defeated Ellinwood.
"It takes time and commitment and I believe in the players," said Ellinwood coach Greg Maxwell. "Our goal is to get better every day."
Ellinwood's leader is Kennedy Behnke, who has contributed 339 serves, 239 winners, 99 blocks and 61 ace serves. Miette Maxwell has 330 serves, 158 digs, 135 winners and 46 assists. Regan Widener has delivered 412 serves, 257 serves received, 195 winners and 54 ace serves.
Other contributors are Alyvia Batchman, 366 serves, 366 assists, 132 winners; Bennett Jacobs, 338 serves, 292 digs, 229 serves received; defensive specialist Reese Stickney, Reese Kyndal Moore, 210 winners; Ayla Ritchie, 56 blocks; and Brynn Widener.
2A STATE DODGE CITY
POOL 1—Shawnee Maranatha 37-6 vs. Oakley 30-9, 8:30 a.m.; Inman 39-2 vs. Wichita Christian 37-6; Maranatha vs. Wichita Christian; Inman vs. Oakley; Oakley vs. Wichita Christian; Inman vs. Maranatha
POOL 2—Sedgwick 36-5 vs. Valley Heights 29-9, 8:30; Ellinwood 39-3 vs. Highland Doniphan West 27-12; Sedgwick vs. Doniphan West; Ellinwood vs. Valley Heights; Valley Heights vs. Doniphan West; Ellinwood vs. Sedgwick
2A WEST SUBSTATES
ELLINWOOD—CHAMPIONSHIP Ellinwood def. Hays TMP, 25-23, 25-14; Ellinwood def. Sterling, 25-13, 25-11; Hays TMP def. Phillipsburg, 25-22, 23-25, 25-21
SYLVAN GROVE—CHAMPIONSHIP Hoxie def. Oakley, 25-23, 19-25, 25-19; Hoxie def. Sylvan-Lucas, 25-17, 25-13; Oakley def. Wichita County, 25-21, 25-15
2A WEST REGIONALS
ELLINWOOD—Ellinwood def. Hill City, 25-2, 25-4; Ellinwood def. Stanton County, 25-12, 25-17; Ellinwood def. Hoxie, 25-12, 25-17; Hoxie def. Stanton Co. 25-12, 25-17; Stanton County def. Hill City, 23-25, 25-17, 25-16; Hoxie def. Hill City, 25-7, 25-12
SYLVAN GROVE—Sylvan Lucas def. Sublette, 25-13, 25-14; Sylvan-Lucas def. Medicine Lodge, 25-22; 25-17; Sylvan-Lucas def. Sterling, 21-25, 25-20, 25-17; Sterling def. Medicine Lodge, 25-12, 25-19; Sterling def. Sublette, 25-11, 25-16; Medicine Lodge def. Sublette, 25-18, 25-6
OAKLEY—Oakley def.. Trego, 25-20, 25-20; Phillipsburg def. Syracuse, 25-20, 25-20; Oakley def. Syracuse, 25-20, 25-20; Phillipsburg def. Trego, 25-20 25-20; Oakley def. Phillipsburg, 25-20, 25-20; Trego def. Syracuse, 25-20, 25-20
HAYS—Hays TMP def.. Smith Center, 25-16, 25-13; Wichita County def. Plainville, 25-12, 22-25, 25-15; TMP def. Plainville, 25-22, 25-17;. Wichita Co.. def. Smith Center, 26-24, 25-24; TMP def. Wichita Co. 25-17, 25-14; Smith Center def. Plainville, 25-18, 25-22
