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2018 State Volleyball gets underway Friday, October 26 with Nemaha Central at 3A in Hutchinson, Valley Heights at 2A in Hays and Centralia at 1A in Emporia. We will have live coverage of both Nemaha Central and Centralia on Kanzaland Radio, along with updates of Valley Heights throughout the day. Below is a complete schedule of games and times, along with a complete preview of each team.
2018 State Volleyball Schedule
- Colgan vs. Valley Heights at 11:00am
- Otis-Bison vs. Centralia at 11:00am on 92.1 KMZA
- Maranatha vs. Valley Heights at 12:00pm
- Grinnell vs. Centralia at 1:00pm on 92.1 KMZA
- Garden Plain vs. Valley Heights at 2:00pm
- Olpe vs. Centralia at 3:00pm on 92.1 KMZA
- Hesston vs. Nemaha Central at 3:30pm on 103.9 KNZA
- Hoisington vs. Nemaha Central at 5:30pm on 92.1 KMZA
- Burlington vs. Nemaha Central at 8:30pm on 92.1 KMZA
Nemaha Central (35-8) – 3A Bracket
For the fourth time in the last five years the Thunder are back in the 3A state tournament after taking fourth last season. The Thunder finished second in the Big 7 League regular season standings and won the Nemaha Central Invitational and the Sabetha Invitational this season. Nemaha Central is led by head coach Jessica Koch who is no stranger to the state tournament, as she led Baileyville B&B to several state championships before being named the head coach of Nemaha Central after B&B consolidated with Nemaha Valley. Leading the way offensively for the Thunder is senior Jacy Dalinghaus who leads the team in kills with 334 to go along with 46 aces and 47 blocks. Fellow senior Ashley Larkin has also put together big numbers offensively recording 266 kills and 44 aces to go along with 44 blocks. Senior Riley Bontrager has recorded 616 assists and 36 aces for the Thunder, while Ashley Hammes leads the team with 412 digs.
Valley Heights (24-15) – 2A Bracket
The Mustangs are back in the 2A state tournament for the second consecutive year which may have surprised some after the loss of key starters Kayla Smith and Shea Manley to graduation from last years state tournament team. Valley Heights won their home sub-state to make it back to state, taking down top-seeded Jeff County North in the championship match. The Mustangs tied for the second spot in the Twin Valley League with Frankfort, who finished one win shy of reaching state in 1A. The Mustangs are led by sophomore Emma Toerber who has 246 kills and 279 digs which are both tops on the team while junior Sam Vermetten has compiled 231 kills and Emma Yungeberger 188. Senior Hannah Musil has also recorded 495 assists on the season, while junior Kennedy Stevenson has 256 digs.
Centralia (42-0) – 1A Bracket
For the 28th time in school history the Centralia Panthers are back in the state tournament looking for a third straight state championship after winning it all the past two seasons. The Panthers are currently on a 75-match win streak and are 129-2 the last two seasons, while also being 169-4 in the last four years. Centralia has played in the state finals five years in a row, nine times in the last 11 years and 22 times in school history. The Panthers have 14 state titles, eight runner-ups and four third place finishes in the 27 trips to state. Centralia is led by returning all-state section Madison Lueger, who was first-team All-State and All-State Tournament last year and has a team-high 333 kills this season. Senior Maegan Koch is also a force to be reckoned with at the net as she holds the school record for blocks and was an All-State Tournament selection last year with 196 kills this season. Senior Kate Elliot leads the team with 87 aces, while junior Morgan Kramer, in her first year as the team’s setter, has a team-high 480 assists. The Panthers are led by legendary head coach Kimbrook Tennal, who has been the head man at Centralia since 2007 and at the school since 1997. Tennal has a career coaching record of 766-48, but is currently in a battle with colon cancer.
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