Victory edges Lions closer to state semifinals

Seniors+Abby+Monroe+and+Brooke+Wroten+reach+for+the+ball+during+the+state+volleyball+tournament+on+Friday+in+Salina.+The+Lions+beat+Gardner-Edgerton+in+two+sets.

Megan Drumm

Seniors Abby Monroe and Brooke Wroten reach for the ball during the state volleyball tournament on Friday in Salina. The Lions beat Gardner-Edgerton in two sets.

By Emily Kruse and Nola Levings
October 26, 2018

SALINA — The Lions continued their decisive winning streak in the state volleyball tournament with their second match-up, defeating Gardner-Edgerton High School in two sets today.

The win secured a spot for the Lions in the state semifinals on Saturday at the Tony’s Pizza Event Center in Salina. The team still faced a final match-up against Blue Valley High School to determine seedings.

Despite their strong performance, players said it had been a challenging day.

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Senior Baylee Unruh cheers a Lions point during the state volleyball match against Blue Valley West on Friday morning in Salina. The Lions took the first match against West, 2-0.
Lions win first game in two sets at state volleyball tournament
Setting up for shows
“I knew we were going to come out and do well, and we knew that the other teams were going to do well, too,” senior Cortney Hanna said. “The competitive level was exactly what we expected.”

The Lions led their entire second set to the Blazers, showing why they’re the top seed in the tournament. The Lions took the first set, 25-16, over Gardner, which had the support of a large student fan section, which filled one section of the arena. The Lions sealed their win with a 25-18 victory in the second set.

Earlier, the team also defeated Blue Valley West in two sets.

“All year has been very business like,” head coach Stephanie Scarbrough said. “This what we’ve been looking forward to all year, and it’s time to earn it.”