Lawrence, Olathe South battle through to state

Lawrence’s record alone doesn’t conjure the image of an elite volleyball team. The Lions entered Kansas 6A sub-state play Saturday at Olathe South as the third seed with a 21-16 mark overall.

But Lawrence certainly played like one of the state’s best, pounding Olathe East into submission and then rallying from a one-game deficit against Olathe Northwest, claiming the program’s third 6A state tournament berth in four seasons.

“Going to state means everything, because the more times we go, the more times we’ll think that is what’s expected,” said third-year coach Stephanie Magnuson, who has now guided the Lions to two straight state appearances. “That’s how you build a winning program.”

Lawrence powered past Olathe East 25-23, 25-16 in the Bracket B semifinals before dropping the first game against the Ravens 25-22, but the Lions steadied themselves and rolled 25-18, 25-15 from that point.

Junior Lillian Schonewise keyed the Lions’ surge with two blocks and three kills during a critical nine-point stretch as Lawrence established an 18-12 lead in the final game against Olathe Northwest.

“We had a pep talk yesterday by one of our coaches at the high school, who told us to do it for the seniors,” she said. “It was their last time, so that’s what I felt like I had to do that third game. I had to do it for the seniors.”

The host Falcons, who were the No. 1 seed, also pulled through.

Olathe South, 30-4, had its four-year state tourney streak snapped last year, but led by senior middle hitter Kaitlynn Pelger, the Falcons were determined not to endure the same heartbreak again.

Olathe South, which won state in 2005 then finished third the next two years, crushed Olathe North 25-7, 25-11 and then outlasted Lawrence Free State 25-22, 25-20 for the Bracket A title.

“Last year was the worst feeling when we didn’t make it to state, but because of last year our four seniors played really hard,” Pelger said. “We did not want to be in that position again.”

Host and top-seeded Blue Valley West, 29-10, qualified from its 6A regional, while third-seeded BV North, 25-14, outlasted the No. 2 seed SM East for the other state berth.

Miege, St. James advanceBishop Miege gave up only 31 points combined to Turner and Pittsburg in easing back to the 5A state tournament.

“I thought our matchup was pretty good for us,” Stags coach Gwenn Pike said. “We had a lot more size than either one of the two teams, so knowing that, I just wanted to go and play really sharp. I thought if we did that we’d be playing next weekend in Topeka.”

Miege, 33-5, beat St. Thomas Aquinas, which hosted Saturday’s sub-state, for the state championship last year. It could happen again, because the host Saints, 31-4, also reached 5A state.

Lansing, 35-6, won its 5A sub-state at Topeka Seaman and will join Miege and Aquinas in Topeka.

Defending 4A champion St. James Academy, 35-4, cruised to the sub-state title at Piper. Paola, 28-12, won the 4A sub-state at Spring Hill.

submitted by TOD PALMER - 2009-10-24 21:54:01

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