WICHITA, Kan.—
There was a level of confidence carried throughout the season, propelling the Northwest volleyball team to be able to make a repeat appearance at the 6A state tournament. Though there was pressure to replicate last year’s sub state success, it did not impede the self-imposed expectation level of play.“We went into sub state number one seed, knowing that this was the majority of the varsity team’s senior year,” senior Carlyn Walsh said. “Before every game at sub state, we would say ‘this is not our last game together.’”
“This weekend went just as I expected it to be,” senior Kelsie Wegleitner said. “We worked as hard as we worked last year to be able to prove ourselves at state, and that’s how I knew we were going to win.”
Not intimidated by the Grizzlies No. 1 seed, the Hutch Salthawks went on to win the first set 25-19. Northwest pulled it together and won the next two sets 25-9 and 25-20.
“Hutch put up a good fight in the beginning,” Walsh said. “But in all the years I’ve been playing with this team, that was the best attitude and energy we’ve had together on the volleyball court. We were all feeding off of each other.”
Currently, at least four girls off of this senior-laden team will be playing volleyball at the collegiate level next year. Senior Kelsea Brittain is signing with Tabor this week. Other players will be signing with junior colleges and Division II schools at a later time.
Northwest will face a pool of Blue Valley, Maize, and Olathe East Saturday at the Expocentre in Topeka. Each player hopes to continue their successful season with hopes of bringing home a state championship.
“This year has been special, and it’s going to end on a special note too,” Brittain said.
