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Centralia Panthers find themselves in familiar territory yet again as the end of the volleyball regular season is in the books and sub-state action too the Panthers are primed and ready for the another run at the State tournament.

Centralia returns to the state tourney again this year after a third place finish last year capping off a 40-5 campaign last season in Class 1A-Division I level of state competition. Powerhouse program would be the best way to describe the Panthers as they have won 10 state volleyball crowns, including eight straight from 1997-2004, but their last State title was back in 2006 and they are looking to change that this year and a state championship trophy to the already jam packed trophy case.

Panthers go into the state tournament sitting at 34-5 on the season giving them the number three seed in the Class 1A-Division I State tournament. Centralia will be matched up with Hoxie, Waverly and Pike Valley in pool play sets to commence on Friday morning at Gross Memorial Coliseum at Fort Hays State University. Panthers three pool play opponents are all making return trips to the state tournament as is Centralia.

Battle tested Centralia will be heading into the State competition as all five of their losses are to teams all ranked number one in their class at some point this season, while also notching top flight wins over B&B and Jefferson County North, too. Panthers during the season took home second place in the Twin Valley League regular season action, but won the TVL tournament crown beating B&B in a thrilling three set match. Second place finishes were grabbed in the Wabaunsee, Silver Lake and Hiawatha Invite’s for the Panthers during the season, too.

Replacing seven seniors, the Panthers knew this team would be different and multiple players stepped up this season to continue the Panther volleyball tradition with experience and youth injected into the team, too.

Centralia will be on the prowl again for another State title and the current number one team in the Class 1A-Division I rankings looks primed to display their true team mentality in their quest for another championship.