By CHARLES SPURLOCK
Special to TopSports.news
On Tuesday evening, the Seaman Vikings volleyball team hosted a triangular with fellow United Kansas Conference member Shawnee Heights and the top-ranked team in Class 6A, Blue Valley West.
Seaman volleyball survived three-set tests from Blue Valley West, Shawnee Heights to sweep home triangular. [File photo/TSN]
In the first match, the Seaman Vikings faced the Blue Valley West Jaguars. The Vikings were coming off their first defeat since early in the season to St. Thomas Aquinas last Thursday.
Viking coach Tatiana Dowling discussed the team’s preparation for another highly ranked opponent in Blue Valley West.
“I’m proud of the way we bounced back after the Aquinas game,'' Dowling said. "We had intense practices and held each other accountable to make sure we improved before tonight.”
In Set 1, Seaman jumped out to an early 6-0 lead, with all six service points from junior Kinsley Smith.
Blue Valley West battled back to tie the set at 23. After trading points, Seaman senior Maegan Mills had two kills to win the set, 26-24.
In Set 2, both teams traded points, with Seaman having a lead no larger than two points and Blue Valley West went ahead 15-12, leading to Seaman’s first timeout. The Jaguars increased their lead to 21-15 and they closed out the set, winning 25-16.
In the deciding set, each team traded points until the Jaguars stretched the lead to 11-7, causing the Vikings to call a timeout.
Seaman battled back to take the lead, 17-15, which led to the Jaguars using their first timeout. Blue Valley West came back to tie the set at 19. In a repeat of the first set, the teams traded points until it was tied at 24 before Mills duplicated the first set with two kills to win the set and the match, 26-24.
“Our intensity showed in our defense which was really nice to see,” Dowling said.
The Vikings were led by Smith in service points. Mills and senior Campbell Chabot led the team in kills. Chabot and junior Harper Hafenstine led the team in assists while senior Kinley Wilhelm and Chabot were the leaders in digs.
In the second match of the evening, the Thunderbirds of Shawnee Heights played Blue Valley West. The Jaguars were in control from the beginning of the first set, winning 25-14. The second set began with both teams trading points until the Jaguars went on a 4-0 run to take an 18-12 lead. Blue Valley West continued to extend the lead and won the set, 25-14.
The T-birds were led by juniors Jaidyn Euwer and Avery Willey in kills. Senior Taylor Brees and Willey led the team in digs. Senior Kaydence Torrez led in blocks.
In the last match, Seaman took on their UKC rival, Shawnee Heights. The Vikings jumped out to a quick 9-3 lead. The Vikings extended their lead throughout the remainder of the set, winning 25-12.
Set 2 began with the T-Birds taking the lead 14-9, causing the Vikings to take a timeout. Shawnee Heights continued their inspired play, stretching out the lead to 19-13, which led to Seaman taking their final timeout of the set.
The Lady Vikings charged out of the timeout and cut the lead to 21-17, but Shawnee Heights scored four of the final six points of the set, winning 25-19.
The third and deciding set began with both teams trading points until Seaman pulled ahead 11-7. Seaman continued their run by outscoring Shawnee Heights 14-8 to win the set and the match, 25-15.
“The Shawnee Heights match was a little frustrating because we were such a rollercoaster,'' Dowling said. "Great teams play tough all the time, so we will work on making sure we stay intense and focused regardless of the team we are facing.”
Seaman was led by Kinsley Smith with 10 service points; Maegan Mills totaled 22 kills while senior Ava Esser and Campbell Chabot both had nine kills apiece. Chabot and Hafenstine led with 16 and 14 assists, respectively.
Shawnee Heights was led in kills by juniors Reianna Vega and Euwer as well as Torrez. Brees led the T-Birds in digs and Torrez led in blocks.
In the Seaman-Shawnee Heights match, Seaman senior Kinley Wilhelm reached 1,000 digs for her career.
Match results
Seaman def. Blue Valley West 26-24, 16-25, 26-24; Blue Valley West def. Shawnee Heights 25-14, 25-14; Seaman def. Shawnee Heights 25-12, 19-25, 25-15.
