SALINA—Moundridge High School’s volleyball team went undefeated through Pool 2 competition Oct. 29 at the Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 2A State Volleyball Tournament in Salina, earning a berth in the state semifinals.
It’s the Wildcats’ first trip to the state tourney since 2018.
The Wildcats, seeded second entering the tournament with a 37-4 record, won all three pool matches at Tony’s Pizza Events Center.
Moundridge opened the day with a 25-14, 25-16 victory over seventh-seeded Thomas More Prep-Marian as a vocal crowd created a charged environment.
The Wildcats kept calm as they began their campaign for a state title, led by punishing hits from Hattie Hecox and Mackie Conkling.
The Wildcats followed with a 25-17, 25-14 win against sixth-seeded Chase County.
Hecox dominated at the net, and the Wildcats displayed strong service and accurate ball placement.
Strong blocking by Aspyn Stos and good communication also helped, but the Bulldogs put up a strong fight.
The final pool match brought together Moundridge and third-seeded Inman in a matchup between the two area schools.
The Wildcats prevailed 25-20, 25-21, completing a 3-0 performance without dropping a set.
Going into the match, the math had already been proven.
Moundridge was advancing, and Inman was going home.
But both teams played for pride.
Inman gave Moundridge a run for its money as the Teutons jumped out to an early lead in both sets.
However, they couldn’t hold off the Wildcats, who peppered the Teutons with powerful hits from Hecox, Conkling and Anna Galle.
Stos and Galle also provided huge blocks at the net right when the Wildcats needed them.
With the three victories, Moundridge improved its season record to 40-4 and claimed the top position in Pool 2.
Thomas More Prep-Marian finished second in the pool at 2-1, earning the other semifinal berth.
The Monarchs defeated Inman 25-18, 25-15 and Chase County in three sets, 25-14, 25-27, 25-9.
Inman finished pool play at 1-2.
The Teutons opened with a three-set victory over Chase County, winning 25-20, 19-25, 25-17, but fell to TMP-Marian and Moundridge.
Chase County finished 0-3.
In Pool 1, top-seeded Ellinwood also went undefeated, finishing 3-0.
Eighth-seeded Rossville claimed the second semifinal berth with a 2-1 record.
Rossville defeated St. Mary’s Colgan and Wabaunsee after opening pool play with a loss to Ellinwood.
The semifinal matchups will see Moundridge facing Rossville, and Ellinwood will take on Thomas More Prep-Marian.
The semifinals are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Oct. 31 at Tony’s Pizza Events Center.
Consolation and championship matches will follow, beginning 25 minutes after the final semifinal match concludes.
Moundridge entered the state tournament after winning its regional and sub-state championships.
The Wildcats last won a volleyball state championship in 2009, according to KSHSAA records.
