ELLINWOOD – No. 2 state-ranked 2A Ellinwood defeated defending 1A state champion Little River and defending 2A state champion Hillsboro.

Challenging No. 1 ranked 3A Beloit was a tougher task. The Trojans employed Wichita State commitment Sophia Thompson and Kearney State (Neb.) commit Addison Budke along with Libero Kailyn Follis to roll past Ellinwood 25-18, 25-8, 25-18.

Beloit dominated the match, utilizing its height and senior playmakers to take the Eagles out of rhythm. Budke is approaching 2,000 career winners. Kailyn Follis has passed 1,000 digs and Jaidyn Follis is over 2,000 career assists.

“Going into this matchup I was thinking this could be the best team, I’ve coached against in my volleyball career,” said Ellinwood coach Greg Maxwell. “After tonight, there is no doubt they are the best team I have seen.”

Ellinwood plays Victoria and Plainville Sept. 12.

JV—Ellinwood cruised past Beloit 25-18, 25-23.

OTIS—Otis-Bison (8-1) def. Macksville, 25-22, 25-17; Otis-Bison def. La Crosse, 25-21, 25-17; Macksville (2-5) def. La Crosse, 25-14, 25-21

CHASE—Central Plains def. Chase, 25-8, 25-11; Central Plains def. Fairfield, 25-19, 25-14; Fairfield def. Chase, 25-10, 25-17