By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural's volleyball team went a perfect 5-0 on the day in Saturday's Centennial League tournament at Topeka High, with the Junior Blues capturing their fourth straight league championship.
Washburn Rural's volleyball team poses for a picture after winning its fourth straight Centennial League championship Saturday at Topeka High. [Washburn Rural volleyball]
The Junior Blues, ranked No. 5 in Class 6A by the Kansas Volleyball Association, won 10 of their 11 sets on the day, with only Manhattan winning a set from the champions.
Washburn Rural celebrates its deciding point in Saturday's three-set victory over Manhattan at Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Manhattan, Rural's third of five opponents in the round-robin event, defeated the Junior Blues 25-18 in the first set, but Washburn Rural bounced back to take 25-13 and 25-23 wins to close out the match.
Washburn Rural returns a shot in Saturday's Centennial League volleyball tournament at Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural senior Layla Collins spikes the ball during Saturday's Centennial League tournament at Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Rural, now 18-2, opened its tournament bid with a 25-19, 25-18 win over Hayden, top-ranked in 4A, followed by a 25-15, 25-17 win over Junction City, the win over Manhattan, a 25-18, 25-14 victory over Topeka High and clinching the league crown with a 25-12, 25-21 triumph over Emporia in its final match of the day.
Emporia (18-8) went 4-1 on the day to finish second, while Manhattan was third with a 3-2 record. Hayden went 2-3 in the tournament while host Topeka High posted a 1-4 record and Junction City was winless in its five matches.
Hayden junior Ella Foster sets the ball during Saturday's Centennial League tournament at Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Hayden freshman Hailey Schmidtlein spikes the ball in Saturday's Centennial League tournament. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Hayden, now 23-5, posted a 25-16, 25-18 win over Topeka High and a 25-16, 25-9 win over Junction City while the Wildcats took Emporia to three sets.
Topeka High notched its lone win with a 25-16, 25-19 win over Junction City.
CENTENNIAL LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL
At Topeka High
Final standings
Washburn Rural 5-0, Emporia 4-1, Manhattan 3-2, Hayden 2-3, Topeka High 1-4, Junction City 0-5.
Match scores
Manhattan def. Topeka High, 25-22, 25-14; Emporia def. Junction City, 25-14, 25-15; Washburn Rural def. Hayden, 25-19, 25-18; Hayden def. Topeka High, 25-16, 25-18; Emporia def. Manhattan, 16-25, 25-20, 25-23; Washburn Rural def. Junction City, 25-15, 25-17; Emporia def. Topeka High, 25-16, 25-17; Washburn Rural def. Manhattan, 18-25, 25-13, 25-23; Hayden def. Junction City, 25-16, 25-9; Washburn Rural def. Topeka High, 25-18, 25-14; Manhattan def. Junction City, 25-23, 25-23; Emporia def. Hayden, 25-20, 22-25, 26-24; Topeka High def. Junction City, 25-16, 25-19; Washburn Rural def. Emporia, 25-12, 25-21; Manhattan def. Hayden, 25-19, 25-20.
