SALINA—Inman High School’s volleyball season came to an end Oct. 29 at the Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 2A State Volleyball Tournament in Salina.
The Teutons finished 1-2 in Pool 2 competition at Tony’s Pizza Events Center, failing to advance to the semifinal round being held Oct. 31.
Inman, the No. 3 seed entering the tournament with a 34-7 record, opened pool play with a three-set victory over sixth-seeded Chase County.
The Teutons won the first set 25-20, dropped the second 25-19, then closed out the match with a 25-17 victory.
Charged by a loud and raucous crowd, an electric atmosphere provided Inman with an early spark in a competitive pool that also included second-seeded Moundridge and seventh-seeded Thomas More Prep-Marian.
Inman’s second match was against TMP-Marian, but the energy level wasn’t the same for the Teutons, who appeared to have one of their worst matches of the season.
The Monarchs defeated the Teutons in straight sets, 25-18, 25-15, handing Inman its first loss of the tournament.
The final pool match saw Inman face fellow McPherson County team Moundridge.
The Wildcats defeated the Teutons 25-20, 25-21 to complete a 3-0 record in pool play.
The Teutons came into the match fired up, despite already being eliminated from the tournament mathematically.
Playing for pride, Inman gave Moundridge a run for its money as the Teutons jumped out to an early lead in both sets, but they could not hold off the Wildcats and their punishing hits.
For Inman, the state tournament loss concluded an otherwise successful season that included a regional championship and a sub-state title on its home court.
Moundridge and TMP-Marian claimed the two advancement spots from Pool 2.
Moundridge finished undefeated at 3-0, while TMP-Marian went 2-1.
In Pool 1, top-seeded Ellinwood also went 3-0 to claim the pool championship.
Eighth-seeded Rossville finished 2-1 to earn the other semifinal berth.
The four semifinalists will return to competition Oct. 31, with matches beginning at 9 a.m.
Moundridge will face Rossville, while Ellinwood will meet TMP-Marian.
