ST. PAUL — This was supposed to be a bit of a down year for Southern Coffey County High’s Lady Titans. So it appeared after graduating last year’s seniors that led them to the state volleyball tournament.
But nobody told the current players on the SCCH volleyball team. They went out Saturday and won a second straight Kansas Class 1A Substate Volleyball championship.
The Lady Titans were seeded second in the Class 1A, Division I substate hosted by St. Paul. Cedar Vale/Dexter was top-seeded.
Both teams earned first-round byes.
Crest High’s Lady Lancers (12-22) lost to Pleasanton 27-25, 25-11. St. Paul defeated Chetopa 25-7, 25-7.
In the semifinals, Cedar Vale/Dexter beat Pleasanton 25-17, 25-7. Southern Coffey County got past host St. Paul 25-19, 25-17.
The Lady Titans had to battle but came out on top of Cedar Vale/Dexter 25-16, 19-25, 25-23 in the title match.
“With the new format, we thought we had a good chance when the substates were drawn,” said Korey Lankton, Lady Titan head coach. “Not having to go through a regional then a substate like in previous years helped us.”
Against St. Paul, Brooke Scheele had eight set assists and Keasha Parks had seven. Ashton Isch delivered seven kills and Sam Jacob had six kills.
Kristin Stephens and Sarah Webb each put up two solo blocks and had three kills.
Lankton said Cedar Vale/Dexter had a good, athletic team and “our girls had to take their game to another level to beat them.”
Stephens pounded down 13 kills in the championship match. Jacob had nine kills while Webb and Isch each had five kills.
Scheele put up 24 set assists. Isch came up with 14 digs.
“Some people may have written us off but this group of girls really wanted this,” Lankton said.
The Lady Titans (22-15) play in the new two-division Class 1A state tournament this Friday at Hays. Southern Coffey County is in Class 1A, Division I.
More on the Lady Titans and the state tournament will be the Register later this week.
Lady Titans claim substate title
