HUMBOLDT — Fans got a sneak peek of the area’s volleyball talent for the upcoming season when Humboldt hosted a preseason tournament on Friday.
With 10 teams attending and nine different schools represented, the championship came down to a pair of teams very familiar to area fans.
Humboldt defeated Iola in three sets for the tournament title.
“We did great after losing three seniors last year who contributed a lot,” Humboldt coach Terry Meadows said. “We played well. My young ones stepped up today and we are going to be O.K.”
The Fillies got off to a strong start in the final match by winning the first set 25-20. The Cubs responded by winning 25-23 and 15-11 in the second and third sets.
Humboldt advanced to the championship match by defeating Southeast (Cherokee) — the same team they defeated to advance to state tournament last season — in the semifinals. The Cubs won the first set 25-23 and the second set 25-13.
“I had a couple of people who were with our J.V. last year, play really well,” Meadows said. “Camrie Farran played well. Rylan Wilhite — who didn’t go out last year — is doing well. Alayna Johnson is a sophomore setter and did great today.”
In pool-play, the Cubs beat Yates Center 26-24 and 23-21; Jayhawk-Linn 25-23 and 25-16; and Lyndon 25-17 and 25-23.
The Cubs and Fillies split their pool-play sets with Iola winning the first set 25-17 and Humboldt winning the second set 25-16.
Humboldt also played their junior varsity team in the other pool.
The junior varsity Cubs finished third in that pool after beating Crest 25-16 and 27-25. They split with Caney Valley, losing 21-25 and winning 25-23. The Cubs lost to Southeast (Cherokee), 13-25 and 10-25, and Anderson County, 11-25 and 19-25.
IOLA
Before falling to the Cubs in the tournament final, the Fillies were able to knock off Pioneer League rival Anderson County in straight sets in the semifinals.
“I am really happy,” Iola coach Emily Hampton said. “We saw some really strong players and good teams. They worked hard and got through some tough matches.”
In pool-play, the Fillies beat Yates Center, 25-11 and 25-11,and Lyndon, 25-21 and 25-21 and 26-24. They split with Jayhawk-Linn after losing the first set 22-25 and won the second set 25-15.
“I think we look good for the season,” Hampton said. “This is the first summer where I’ve pushed that you have to come to the summer stuff. I think those who have religiously been there have shown that work on the court.”
Replacing the graduated Riley Murry’s presence in the middle of the Iola front line is a key going into the season and Hampton was impressed with one potential replacement.
“Shaylee Sutterby looked really good,” Hampton said. “She and Colbi (Riley) worked really hard. They pushed themselves.”
YATES CENTER
In addition to being swept by Iola and Humboldt, the Wildcats lost to Jayhawk-Linn, 25-19 and 25-20, and Lyndon, 25-18 and 25-18.
CREST
The Lancers defeated Caney Valley 25-19 and 25-23.
In addition to losing to Humboldt’s junior varsity, Crest lost to Southeast (Cherokee), 25-11 and 25-11, and Anderson County, 25-16 and 25-18.
