FREDONIA — The 2023 volleyball season came crashing down in similar fashion for Iola High’s and Humboldt High’s squads Saturday.
Both seemed to have the momentum squarely on their side in their respective matches, only to see cold starts in their third-set tiebreakers spell doom.
Iola’s season ended in the Class 3A Substate Quarterfinals, falling to Prairie View, 25-18, 10-25 and 25-13.
The setback ends Iola’s season with a 22-13 record.
Humboldt, meanwhile, fended off a pesky Burlington High squad, 25-27, 25-14 and 25-17, in its opener, and seized the upper hand early against Anderson County in the semifinal round, 26-24. But the magic ended there as Anderson County took control in sets 2 and 3, winning 25-12 and 25-13.
The loss ends Humboldt’s campaign at 31-9.
Meanwhile, top-seeded Neodesha showed it will be a force to contend with at state. The Bluestreaks cruised to the substate title by winning all three of their matches in straight sets, none coming closer than 25-17.
Neodesha thumped Anderson County 25-12 and 25-10 to secure the state bid. The Class 3A state tournament runs next Friday and Saturday in Hutchinson.
