Stafford volleyball making progress
STAFFORD -- Stafford volleyball coach Marlena Hunley sees a promising future after a 6-24 record, the best season in recent memory.
"Watch out, the Lady Trojans are coming," Hunley said. "We're in a major building phase, which is exciting. We're hungry to add more wins than the previous season. The girls have the drive to push themselves. Our major goal is advance out of regionals."
Hunley said the players attended Wichita State's summer camp and competed favorably at Pratt's summer volleyball league. Most of the players compete on club teams during the off-season."
Hunley carries positive vibes on her top players.
"Kynlee Hearn is our leader on the court with positive energy. Kynlee's a great left-handed hitter who read the other team's attack.
"Honorable mention all-league Peyton Roush dominates at the net with kills, blocks and coverage. Peyton is an all around player who can even step in and set as needed.
"Emily Delgadillo has a great court awareness and can hit open spots.
"Kya Conant is scrappy who doesn't let the ball hit the floor. She's one of our best passers. She's get more all-around playing time.
"Defensive specialist Khloe McCloskey increase her defensive knowledge and technique at camps. Khloe's love is guiding her team from the back row.
"Ariana Delgadillo has grown tremendously and her mechanics have improved.
"Rye Petrik is growing into a force on the front row with her height and strength. She's an athlete to keep your eye on.
Honorable mention all-league Rylee Ferguson, "There isn’t much this girl can’t do. She is our lead Varsity setter, jump server, blocks on the net, gets kill after kill and has a very controlled pass. Her hard work outside of the gym has really paid off. She has a future in this sport.
Emma Mathes is a Fairfield transfer. Telma Alvarez Yuste is an student from Spain. Hutchinson transfer Alyssa Mitchell is a setter. Aubrey Dove will serve as manager after a shoulder injury.
Hunley is assisted by Kaley Conant.
STAFFORD ROSTER
SENIOR—Kynlee Hearn
JUNIORS—Peyton Roush, Emily Delgadillo, Bailey Wiley, Emma Mathes, Telma Alvarez Yuste, Alyssa Mitchell
SOPHOMORES—Ariana Delgadillo, Rylee Ferguson, Kya Conant, Rye Petrik, Khloe McCloskey, Raegan Eulenstein
NINTH-GRADERS—Braxie Lopez, Paige Hacking, Emeree Nobles, Makinley Sanders (St. John transfer) Ana Zarate-Perez
TROJAN VOLLEYBALL
8-26—Goessel Jamboree (Argonia/Skyline)
8-29—Ness City/Macksville
9-2—Cunningham/Otis-Bison
9-13—at Otis/La Crosse Tournament
9-16—at Burrton/St. John/ Macksville
9-20—at Rozel-Burdett Tournament
9-23—*Norwich/*South Barber
9-30—at *Hutchinson Central Christian/*Attica
10-7—*at Cunningham/*Norwich
10-9—at Larned/Kinsley
10-14—*at Cunningham/*Pretty Prairie
10-18—at Heart of the Plains
10-21/22—at 1A regional
10-26—at 1A substate
Trojans' Brozek leads Stafford
STAFFORD — Stafford first-team Heart of the Plains tailback/middle linebacker Dylan Brozek rushed for 766 yards with four scores and recorded 154 tackles the past two seasons.
The Trojans feature a few quality football players, but lack depth and weight along the offensive and defensive lines.
Sophomore Alex Gould and junior Jackson Mead anchor the offensive line along with Tuff Pope and tight end Jacob Johnson. Pope had 51 tackles last year with four interceptions as a freshman. Jackson Mead garnered 49 tackles last year.
Stafford faces a tall challenge in a rugged 8-Man Division 2 District with Victoria (10-1), Hodgeman County (7-3), St. John (4-5) and Macksville (2-7)
STAFFORD ROSTER
SENIORS—9—Riccardo Cecchin; 12—Dylan Brozek, 6-0, 195, QB/LB
JUNIORS—10—Tuff Pope, 5-7, 150, QB/WR/DB; 21—Kameron Ramirez; 33—Jacob Johnson, TE/DE; 68—Jackson Mead, 5-8, 170, G/TE
SOPHOMORES—1—Jace Kreutzer, 5-2, 2—Landon Marks; 3—James Engelbrecht, 5-9, 150, WR/RB/DB; 5—Phuwapat Sangsalee, 7—Brock Oleson; 69—Alex Gould, 5-8, C/NG
NINTH-GRADERS—0—Nathan Trotta; 32—Rajon Smith; 59—Mason Miller, G/NG
The Stafford Trojans earned the school’s first football playoff victory in school history with a 54-28 victory over South Haven in 2018. The Trojans have qualified for the 8-man playoffs seven times.
STAFFORD—*8-MAN 2, DISTRICT 7—Victoria 12-1 (4-0), Hodgeman County 8-3 (3-1), St. John 4-6 (2-2), Macksville 3-6 (1-3), Stafford 2-7 (0-4)
8-30—Coldwater Jamboree
9-5—Reno County (26-52)
9-12—Pretty Prairie (30-14)
9-19—Hutchinson Central Christian (0-48)
9-26—*Macksville (14-26)
10-3—*at Hodgeman County (0-48)
10-10—*Victoria (14-72)
10-17—*St. John (14-60)
10-24—Fairfield (34-46)
10-30—8-man playoffs
Stafford runners to compete
STAFFORD — Stafford's Joel Valadez earned eighth-medalist honors at the 1A state cross country meet last year. He placed as 16th medalist in 2023.
The Valadez trio features sophomore Jobe Valadez, along with senior Josue Valadez and his junior brother Joel Valadez.
STAFFORD ROSTER
SENIOR—Josue Valadez (R 27TH, 40TH, HOP 17TH)
JUNIOR—Joel Valadez (S 8TH, 16TH, REG 4TH, 7TH, HOP 6TH)
SOPHOMORE—Jobe Valadez (R 69TH)
STAFFORD SCHEDULE
9-4—at Meade
9-13—at Pratt
9-18—at Stafford CC
9-25—at Larned
9-30—at Lyons
10-2—at Pratt
10-9—at Newton
10-16—Heart of the Plains
10-25—at 1A regionals
11-2—1A state, Wamego
