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Gonzalez-Talavera, Schmidtlein the Dan Key Farmers Agency Rising Stars of the Week

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By RICK PETERSON                                                                                                           

TopSports.news

Topeka West junior soccer standout Diego Gonzalez-Talavera and Hayden sophomore volleyball star Hailey Schmidtlein  have been selected by the Dan Key Farmers Insurance Agency as the Rising Stars of the Week.

The Dan Key Agency will recognize top Shawnee County underclassmen throughout the bulk of the 2025-2026 school year.

Here’s a brief look at the accomplishments of Gonzalez-Talavera and Schmidtlein over the past week:

 

DiegoGonzalez Talavera2025 2Diego Gonzalez-Talavera, Topeka West

DIEGO GONZALEZ-TALAVERA, Topeka West

Gonzalez-Talavera was named the Most Valuable Player in the Salina South Invitational after the Chargers won the tournament championship with three straight wins, capped by a 3-2 victory over tournament host Salina South in last Saturday's championship game.

Gonzalez-Talavera's tournament performance was highlighted by four goals and an assist in an 8-0 first-round West win over Salina Central.

The Topeka West standout added a goal and an assist on Thursday as the Chargers improved to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in the United Kansas Conference with a 4-2 home win over Seaman.

HaileySchmidtlein2025VB 1Hailey Schmidtlein, Hayden

HAILEY SCHMIDTLEIN, Hayden

Schmidtlein played a big role last Saturday as the Wildcats, top-ranked in Class 4A by the Kansas Volleyball Association, won the Baldwin Invitational with five straight wins to improve to a perfect 12-0 on the season.

Schmidtlein registered 40 kills in 11 sets on the day while hitting .377 with 51 digs and five blocks.

"Hailey is an incredible multi-sport athlete,'' Wildcat coach Corrinne McGreevy said. "She is a fierce leader and has great court awareness. I'm really proud of how she is playing and leading this team.''

 

 

Todd Fertig

Trojans drop 6-0 non-league decision to Wichita Southeast

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By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Topeka High football had ample opportunities to stretch its undefeated streak to three games Thursday night, but just couldn’t muster the offense needed to take advantage of an inspired defensive effort.

The Trojans fell to Wichita Southeast at Hummer Sports Park by a score of 6-0.

With their backs against the wall numerous times, the Trojan defense managed to shut out the visiting Golden Buffaloes. Twice Topeka High forced the visitors to fumble on the Trojans’ 3-yard line.

THSdefense2025 1Topeka High's defense came up with several big plays, but it wasn't enough as the Trojans dropped a 6-0 decision to Wichita Southeast. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Trojans’ failure to capitalize left Topeka High coach Jason Filbeck at a loss.

“No part of it was how I wanted it, other than our defense was really good all night,” Filbeck said. “They did a great job. Took the ball away multiple times, got stops, even in bad field position. Down to the wire, our defense kept giving us chances, and we just did not execute on offense.”

THSdefense2025 2Topeka High's defense did not allow a point Thursday, with Wichita Southeast's lone TD coming on an interception return as the Trojans dropped a 6-0 decision. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Topeka High entered the Thursday night tilt averaging 34 points per game. But the Trojans amassed just 127 yards from scrimmage against the Golden Buffaloes. The Trojans turned the ball over just once, but it was a backbreaker.

Eager to continue a drive that started on the Topeka High 3-yard line early in the fourth period, the Trojans faced third and 10 from their own 33. Quarterback Zane Smith looked for a receiver over the middle, but his pass was intercepted by Wichita Southeast’s William O’Bar, who veered to the right sideline and picked his way through the Trojans for a 40-yard touchdown return.

It was the only scoring play of the night. The Trojan defense stuffed the Golden Buffaloes on the two-point conversion, keeping the hope of a victory alive. But Topeka High’s next two drive deep into the opponents’ territory came up empty.

“(Wichita Southeast) brought some pressure and we had trouble running it early, which makes it hard,” Filbeck said. “But then, you know, we’ve got to catch balls. We have open guys and we’re just not connecting either the throw or the catch. You get to where you’re just running out of ideas because nothing seems to click. Nothing’s connecting, and that wound up being the story of the night.”

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Rick Peterson
Rick Peterson

West soccer overcomes early deficit, takes 4-2 UKC win over Seaman

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By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

For the first time this season Topeka West's soccer team trailed in a game Thursday night at Hummer Sports Park.

But after falling behind visiting Seaman 2-1 in the opening half, Topeka West scored the final three goals of the night to take a 4-2 United Kansas Conference win over the Vikings.

DiegoGonzalez Talavera2025 5Junior Diego Gonzalez-Talavera is congratulated by his Topeka West teammates after scoring the final goal in Thursday's 4-2 UKC win over Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

JPAyella2025soccer 4Senior JP Ayella had a goal and an assist in Topeka West's 4-2 UKC win over Seaman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

"I think they reacted well,'' Topeka West coach Josh Kutter said of his team's comeback. "You could tell the disappointment initially, but once they got over themselves they came back and continued to stay the course and played our game.

"We know they can score.''

RylanHarris2025soccer 1Senior Rylan Harris scored Seaman's first goal in Thursday's 4-2 UKC loss to Topeka West. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN] L

Topeka West, now 5-0 overall and 1-0 in the UKC, took a 1-0 lead just 2:57 into the game on an own goal, but Seaman got goals from senior Rylan Harris and senior Cody Quy to go up by a goal with 22:30 left in the first half.

But West tied the game 2:12 later on a goal from senior JP Ayella and took the lead for good at 3-2 on a shot from sophomore Camilo Garcia with 3:42 left in the half.

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Rick Peterson
Rick Peterson

No. 9-ranked Ichabod volleyball to put perfect record on the line in Central Missouri tourney

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By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

No. 9-ranked Washburn Ichabod volleyball, 8-0 on the season, heads to Warrensburg, Mo. for the Comfort Inn Invitational hosted by Central Missouri beginning Friday and Saturday.

WUvolleyball2025 4Washburn volleyball will compete in the Central Missouri tournament Friday and Saturday in Warrensburg, Mo. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

The Ichabods will face McKendree and Missouri S&T on Friday before taking on Ouachita Baptist on Saturday in the final day of the tournament. 

WU opens the tournament against McKendree at 2:30 p.m. and Missouri S&T at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

On the second and final day the Ichabods take on Ouachita Baptist at 2:30 p.m.

The tournament will include Washburn and Central Missouri from the MIAA while Missouri S&T, McKendree and Ouachita Baptist round out the tournament. 

All matches will take place inside the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center. 

The Ichabods have swept five straight matches and moved three spots in the AVCA national rankings after going 4-0 in last week's Washburn Invitational.

Washburn was picked to finish third in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll with 98 total points.

Austin Broadie leads the Washburn offense with 77 kills while hitting .399. She has started all eight matches and has also logged 14 blocks with 19 digs. The senior has four double-digit kill matches and is 33rd nationally in hitting percentage. She was named the Tournament MVP of the Washburn Invitational. 

Corinna McMullen has started all eight matches this season to lead Washburn with 155 assists. She has also chipped in seven service aces while ranking tied for third on the team with 52 digs. The senior has delivered four matches of 20-plus assists and three double-doubles. 

Alex Dvorak leads the team with 28 blocks on the season while starting all eight matches. Offensively she has made 44 kills along with hitting .435.

Taylor Rottinghaus has suited up as the libero in every match this season, leading the team with 88 digs. She has chipped in 24 assists while serving six aces. The junior has a season-high of 15 digs this season. She earned All-Tournament team honors at the Washburn Invitational. 

Bella Limback is slashing a team-high .690 with 25 kills while starting all eight matches. She has added 21 blocks, second most on the team and served five aces. She has hit over .500 in every match this season. 

Brynne Topolski is second on the Ichabods with 58 kills while hitting .358. She has come off the bench in all eight matches while making 15 blocks with five digs. The sophomore earned a spot on the All-Tournament team at the Washburn Invitational.

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Rick Peterson
Rick Peterson

Washburn soccer looking to bounce back in home contest against Harding

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By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn University soccer will host Harding Friday evening at Yager Stadium (6 p.m. start), with the Ichabods looking to bounce back from a 4-0 Sunday loss to University of Mary.

MackinlyRohn2025 4Washburn junior Mackinly Rohn (24) battles for the ball in Sunday's 4-0 loss to the University of Mary. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

"This provides another great environment for us to continue to grow in pursuit of finding consistency in our performances," said Ichabod coach Davy Phillips. "I really like how our team is so resilient and committed to learning and growing after each of our setbacks so far in this young season."

In Sunday's loss to UMary the Marauders scored two quick goals, which set the tone for the match.

The Ichabods are led in scoring by freshman winger Leah Henke, who has three goals on the year, two of which were assisted by senior Belle Kennedy.

Read more …

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