Defending champ Central Plains returns to Dodge with quarterfinal win

CLAFLIN, Kan. (Catch it Kansas) - The Central Plains Lady Oilers advanced to the final four of the KSHSAA Class 1A Division 1 State Volleyball Tournament after defeating the Victoria Lady Knights three sets to one 25-23, 25-17, 23-25, 25-10.

Central Plains hosted the match in their gym. Hanging over the court was the banner commemorating the Lady Oilers 2019 Class 1A State Volleyball Championship.

Both teams split their meetings during the regular season. They joined St. John and Otis-Bison as the four teams from the Central Prairie League to win their respective Sub-State Tournaments.

The visiting Lady Knights had the first service in the best three of five match.

The two sides traded points back and forth in a tightly contested first set. No one could build a lead of more than one or two points at times. In the end, Central Plains took the frame by a score of 25 to 23.

In the second set, Victoria built a small lead to see Central Plains storm back and take an 11 to 4 advantage at one point. The Lady Knights tried to climb back but fell 25 to 17 to go down two sets to none.

Again Victoria built a lead to start the third set. Central Plains responded but lost the advantage late. The Lady Knights revived their chances of advancing with the 25 to 23 win to make it two sets to one.

The defending State Champions roared back in the fourth set. They took control early and never let go. The Lady Oilers closed out the match with a 25 to 10 victory to take it three sets to one.

“I knew it would be a tough battle, and it would be point for point through a lot of it,” said Central Plains Head Coach Lisa Crites. "Getting the first one let us settle in a little bit. We settled in more after the second. I think we settled in too much as Victoria came back at us, and we weren’t ready for that.

“This absolutely was the best Volleyball we’ve played this season.”

Central Plains now advances to the Final Four of the Class 1A Division I State Volleyball Championship held at United Wireless Arena in Dodge City on Saturday.

Victoria sees their season end with a 26 and 6 overall record.

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