By CHARLES SPURLOCK
Special to TopSports.news
On Saturday afternoon, the Class 5A defending state-champion Seaman Vikings volleyball team began their road to the state tournament next weekend in Salina.
Seaman volleyball poses for a team picture with its Class 5A Sub-State trophy Saturday at Seaman. [Seaman Athletics]
The Seaman Vikings opened the sub-state against their city rivals and United Kansas Conference foe, Topeka West.
In the opening set, the scoring went back and forth to begin and Seaman took their largest lead at 12-9. Senior Campbell Chabot followed with four straight service points, extending the lead to 16-9. After a Topeka West side out, junior Kinsley Smith finished the set with nine straight points to take the first set, 25-10.
In the second set, Seaman started quickly and built a 14-6 lead, causing Topeka West to take a timeout. Seaman continued to lengthen their lead and won the set and the match, 25-11.
The Vikings were led by Kinsley Smith in service points, senior Maegan Mills in kills, Chabot and junior Harper Hafenstine in assists and senior Kinley Wilhelm in digs.
The Chargers were led by sophomore Sydney VanDyke in kills, junior Daisy Cott in assists and Cott and senior Josie Lim in digs. Topeka West finished their season with a 13-22 record.
In the sub-state championship match, top-seeded Seaman faced ninth seeded Maize South, which defeated eighth seed Emporia, 25-17, 25-18.
Set one began as a back and forth battle, until Harper Hafenstine scored three straight points on her serve to give Seaman an 8-3 lead, causing Maize South to take a timeout. The Vikings were able to extend their lead to 20-12, which led to the Mavericks to take their final timeout of the set. Seaman outscored Maize South 5-3 to win the first set, 25-15.
The second set was exciting, with Seaman only able to build a lead of four points on two different occasions, while Maize South led once by one point. A quick spurt of two Seaman points led to Maize South taking their first timeout with Seaman leading 21-17. After trading side outs and the Vikings leading 23-20, the Mavericks called their final timeout of the set.
Seaman closed out the match with the final two points and punched their ticket to the state tournament with a 25-20 victory.
The Vikings were led in service points by Wilhelm, Mills and senior Ava Esser in kills; Hafenstine and Chabot led in assists and Wilhelm led in digs.
“Today was really good because we had to play a tough opponent to get to the state tournament,'' Seaman coach Tatiana Dowling said. "We need that high level of competition and it’s nice to play these games. Being able to practice and go back to the state tournament, we are definitely excited to be back.”
Esser shared her thoughts on the day: “We did really did a good job of not underestimating these teams. We played hard and these games will get us ready for the state tournament. I’m proud of our underclassmen for stepping up and doing well for us.”
Added Mills: “Today, we really had good defense. It has been something we’ve struggled with and it was 10 times better. Our blocking was amazing and I think we had good chemistry as a team.”
Senior Maggie Moulden talked about the team looking forward to the state tournament: “Definitely wanting to go back and win state again. We know we’re going to see very good competition, but we’re looking forward to it.”
Senior Kinley Wilhelm talked about the team’s togetherness: “I just absolutely love this team so much. We just have a connection like no other and this is our fourth straight trip as seniors and I think it is a great opportunity to have one last ride together. I’m super-excited with how we played today and hoping we can transfer to the tournament next weekend.”
The Vikings will take their 37-2 record to Salina next weekend for the 5A State Tournament. Pool play will be on Friday and the semifinals and finals will be on Saturday.
CLASS 5A SUB-STATE AT SEAMAN
Sub-State semifinals
Seaman def. Topeka West, 25-10, 25-11; Maize South def. Emporia, 25-17, 25-18.
Sub-State championship
Seaman def. Maize South, 25-15, 25-20.
