By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
HUTCHINSON -- The Hayden volleyball team shook off a disappointing loss in Saturday's Class 4A state semifinals, bouncing back with a win over McPherson to finish third in state at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.
Hayden senior Bella Reid (12) celebrates a point with her teammates during Saturday's Class 4A state volleyball tournament. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Hayden senior Reagan McGivern spikes the ball during Saturday's Class 4A state tournament at Hutchinson. [Photo by Selena Favela/TSN]
Hayden was back in the state field for the first time since it won the 4A title in 2019.
The Wildcats were knocked out of the running for the title by Rock Creek. Hayden evened the semifinal match at one set apiece but couldn’t keep pace in the third set, falling 25-20.
Hayden dropped the first set of the consolation round against McPherson 21-25. But the Wildcats regrouped to win the next two sets 25-15, 25-16.
Hayden's volleyball team poses for a team picture after taking third place in the Class 4A state tournament. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]
Hayden seniors Bella Reid (left) and Reagan McGivern accept the Class 4A third-place trophy Saturday in Hutchinson. [Photo by Todd Fertig/Special to TSN]
“I’m so proud of the girls,” said Wildcat coach Corrinne McGreevy. “It’s mentally so hard to play that consolation game because you put your heart and soul in the semifinal game and then you feel so defeated. But it’s a game of heart and mental toughness. We said ‘Hey, let’s go home in third place, because third is way better than fourth.’ ”
"There’s always that disappointment of losing in a semifinal, but overall I’m so proud of these girls,” said senior Reagan McGivern. “We’re young. We’re inexperienced. So, I’m glad with the way they showed up and were able to bounce back. That consolation game is hard to play mentally, so I’m glad we took care of it. There’s only two teams that can end their season with a win, so I’m glad it was us.”
The Wildcats reached the final day of the 4A tournament by winning two of three matches in pool play on Friday. They got by Holton 25-20, 25-23, setting up a rematch with Bishop Miege, which the Wildcats defeated in two sets in late September. Hayden fell to the Stags, but bounced back to end the season of top-seeded Clay Center. The Wildcats beat Clay Center in three sets.
“It just boils down to points here and there,” McGreevy said of the loss to eventual champion Bishop Miege. “Just a little here and there and it could go either way. They were 50-50 games. Against Miege, we just couldn’t finish, but that’s OK. That’s part of state. What I was proud of was that the girls bounced back, short term memory, and we beat Clay Center – the number one seed – in three.”
McGreevy lamented lost opportunities against Rock Creek that prevented a third meeting with Bishop Miege.
“It was a game of momentum,” she said of the semifinal match. “We were up 6-0 and kind of thought we had it in the bag, but the energy shifted, and we let the first set get away. Rock Creek played great volleyball. It’s how the cards fall sometimes, and at state, you’ve got to be playing your best volleyball. I think we were playing some of our best volleyball, but Rock Creek just had a couple of more points at the end that didn’t go our way.”
Hayden was led by two seniors – McGivern and Bella Reid – but employed several freshmen and sophomores. The seniors hoisted the trophy and received hugs from the coaches during the celebration.
“I’ve had a rocky road my four years at Hayden, but this season was my favorite,” Reid said. “All these freshmen coming in, they stepped it up. This team really meshed together and I’m really thankful for my coaches.”
Miege claiming the state crown for the fourth time in five years.
CLASS 4A STATE TOURNAMENT
At Hutchinson Sports Arena
Semifinals -- Rock Creek def. Hayden, 25-22, 21-25, 25-20; Bishop Miege def. McPherson, 25-10, 25-21.
Championship -- Bishop Miege def. Rock Creek, 25-22, 25-18.
Third place -- Hayden def. McPherson, 21-25, 25-15, 25-16.
