Kayla Smith

For the first time since 2009 the Valley Heights Mustangs volleyball team is headed to the State tournament as they claimed their 2A Sub-State title to earn the opportunity at State.

At Sub-State the Mustangs took down Lincoln in straight sets 25-17, 25-13 to win in the opening round and then beat Republic County 25-14, 25-18 in the Semifinals. In the championship the 2A State runner-up from last year and 10th ranked Central Plains stood in front of the Mustangs but behind a pair of tough sets Valley Heights won 25-19, 25-20. Against Lincoln Smith recorded 11 kills, while in the Semifinals she posted an eight kill and eight dig contest. In the Championship match Smith notched 16 kills against Central Plains and added four digs, while also recording an ace in all three Sub-State matches. 

Helping lead the charge in the postseason and over the course of the season has been the play of senior, Kayla Smith. Smith is an outside hitter for the Mustangs and Coach Susan Steinfort says she brings strength and power to the front row, while her serve-receive passing this year has been instrumental to the offense when she is on the back row as well. On the year Smith has recorded 374 kills, 178 digs, 44 blocks, 43 aces and has a 42.3% kill percentage rate. 

The Mustangs on top of winning a Sub-State title and earning bid to the 2A State tournament also won the regular season Twin Valley League title with an 11-1 mark in League play and sit at 28-10 on the season. Smith and her teammates now gear up to finish the season strong with a great performance at the State volleyball tournament.