BY RICKY PETERSON JR.
KSHSAA COVERED
ELLINWOOD — Whether they have been dominating an overmatched opponent or getting a rare test against another top-tier team, the Ellinwood Eagles have maintained an elite level throughout the season.
Now the Eagles are in pursuit of perfection.
Ellinwood (40-0) plays Plainville to open Saturday’s 2A substate tournament in Ellinwood.
“We've played some teams that we've overwhelmed early on, and that's been our focus to keep efficient and just maintain that high level,” Ellinwood coach Greg Maxwell said. “I've been very proud because that's hard to do. A lot of times, it's easy to lose focus, and we've really pushed and practiced to really push that pressure mentality, and they've done a good job with that.”
The Eagles have been tested three times this season, winning three-set battles each time. Ellinwood owns a pair of wins over three-time reigning Class 1A Division I champion Little River and also won a thriller against Hoisington, ranked No. 4 in 3A. Outside of those three matches, Ellinwood has not dropped a set.
“You have to be in those tough situations, and to drop the sets was a good thing for us because it allowed us to kind of regroup,” Maxwell said. “We did some adjustments in those moments. And I told the girls every time: This is what we need. Win or lose the match, it's a benefit. I was proud of how they responded and got those wins.”
Ellinwood took fourth in 2A last year. They graduated a standout hitter in Kennedy Behnke, now at Pittsburg State, but returned everyone else.
Hitters Regan Widener and Kyndal Moore have set the tone for the Eagles with phenomenal senior seasons.
“Starting in the summer, they just came out and were on another level,” Maxwell said. “A lot of times with seniors, you see it go one way or the other. They enter that senior season and you see pressure of expectation, and these two took it the other way.
“They’ve just run with it as far as both leadership and production on the court. I could not be more proud of those two right now.”
A talented sophomore class has helped the Eagles reach another level, with Mette Maxwell, Reagan Wirtz, Ayla Ritchie and Brynn Widener all playing key roles.
“(The sophomore class is) kind of our core from a number standpoint,” Maxwell said. “I started coaching them when they were tiny. We called them the Itsy Bitsy Spikers and then we just worked our way up with them. They love the game and it shows. Their skill set is just on another level.”
Alyvia Batchman and libero Bennett Jacobs lead the Eagles’ junior class.
“It gives us a little bit of everything,” Maxwell said. “It's a really good balance. Our freshman class is actually extremely skilled. I haven't had to use freshmen on the court, which I keep telling them how happy I am that I don't have to, but at the same time, I'd be confident if I needed to.”
Widener and Moore lead the Eagles with 3.3 and 3.1 kills per set, respectively. Widener, Moore and Ritchie are all hitting over .400. Maxwell and Batchman share setting duties, with Maxwell dishing out 6.1 assists per match and Batchman 4.5 per match.
The Eagles have four players with over 30 blocks on the season – Moore (55), Ritchie (53), Brynn Widener (36) and Regan Widener (32).
Bennett Jacobs averages 6.1 digs per set for the Eagles. Mette Maxwell leads the Eagles with 79 aces, followed by Batchman with 65 and Brynn Widener with 60.
Maxwell said this season has a different feel to it.
“We've had a lot of solid teams, but everything just seems to be a little bit different in what we're accomplishing, either finishing tough matches or how we practice,” Maxwell said. “I'm very pleased with what I'm seeing.”
Ellinwood will open sub-state play at 2 p.m. Saturday against Plainville. The other sub-state opener in Ellinwood is between Smith Center and Rawlins County.
