Volleyball’s crazy finish
Oct. 17, 2007 @ 12:27 p.m. by JoannaVolleyball sub-states are on Saturday — check out Kansas.com for the sub-state pairings, either later today or Thursday. They will run in Thursday’s paper.
But before we get into that, Tuesday was ridiculous. Derby beat Maize, ending the Eagles’ opportunity to win the AV-CTL Division I title outright. That put Goddard, Derby and Maize all into a tie for first place.
It was just as crazy over at Heights, where Heights beat North in three, then North beat Northwest in three and Northwest beat Heights in three. There were some of us wondering if the night would ever end (especially me. I didn’t even start writing on this game until 10 p.m. Can we say ugh?)
Northwest was in worse shape than me, though. The Grizzlies, who had started the season so well — cruising through the first half of the City League with an 8-0 record, beating Bishop Carroll and Kapaun Mount Carmel in consecutive weeks. It sure looked as though the Grizzlies would finally win their first volleyball league title. It looked as though this was the year when, finally, Carroll and Kapaun, weren’t at the top.
But Northwest lost to Carroll and Kapaun in its first matches of the season’s second half. Still, they were all tied with two losses, and Northwest still had a chance. But the Grizzlies couldn’t get past North. What was interesting, though, was Northwest didn’t fall apart. That could have happened, and I know I wouldn’t have been surprised to see it happen. Northwest rebounded with a tough win over Heights in the night’s final match.
As for sub-states, Cheney’s got a tough sub-state at Rose Hill. Despite being the No. 1 seed, the Cardinals (29-5) have the possibility of facing Andover Central (27-11), Clearwater (30-7) and Rose Hill (25-10).
Goddard, the top seed, could meet up with Maize — if the Eagles get by North — which would be interesting. Especially considering these towns are so close together, but will drive all the way to Dodge. Northwest will likely face Dodge City. Derby (25-13) could meet up with top-seeded Washburn Rural (33-5) at Southeast’s sub-state.
The Circle sub-state could mean a matchup of Andover and Circle. Circle won in two when they met last month.
Moundridge (36-2) has got to be the favorite at its sub-state — no other team has a record better than three games over .500. Plus, it’s Moundridge.
As for 5A, I still haven’t seen the pairings, but I’m counting on Newton getting out of its own sub-state.
October 19th, 2007 at 8:38 am
it was bitter-sweet to find an article in the Hutchinson news on the Greensburg girls volleyball team. I appreciate the Hutch news writing the article, but am disappointed the Eagle had not acted first. Especially since I’d e-mailed Joanna to give her a heads-up that it would make a good story. Roy Wentzel or Michael Pierce would have done so much better. I know the physical constraints- everyone’s busy. I just would’ve so much prefered to see the article in my favorite paper- not the one I take issue with quite often. So be it- the Eagle has been wonderful, and will continue to be my first choice. Thank you.
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October 19th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
As a sportswriter in northwest Kansas who covers the Mid-Continent League extensively, I’ve seen enough volleyball to know there’s got to be a better way for sub-states. It’s time the sub-states go to a two-day format (Saturday-Monday or Thursday-Saturday) and have pool play before the semifinals and finals are single-elimination. Why have pool play in all tournaments, including the state tournament, EXCEPT sub-state? In Louisiana, where I covered the sport for six years before coming to Kansas, nobody really cares for the single-elimination format that state uses for its playoffs, becuase one fluke match can cost a team its season.
Joanna, what are your thoughts? Let’s say this scenario were to happen to Newton, Northwest, Carroll, Kapaun, or another highly-ranked team in the Wichita area? How would you feel? How would the coaches feel?
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