BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

HOISINGTON — Hoisington (37-4) cruised past Holcomb, 25-18, 25-13 in the 3A substate volleyball championship to earn a state tournament berth.  Hoisington defeated Smoky Valley, 25-16, 25-23 in the semifinals.

Against Holcomb, Sofia Simic contributed 20 winners, 9 serves received. Ellie Crawford delivered 28 assists, 14 serves, 7 digs. Gaby Reif had 14 serves received, 10 serves, 9 digs; and Kinley Wilkens, hit 5 winners.

"The girls knew if we wanted to get to state, we had to have better defense," said Hoisington coach Mykela Riedl. "They've been chasing down balls and throwing their bodies on the floor every day. Too see their work is special."

The Cardinals played a calm and consistent style

"The girls came out and played well," Riedl said. "The key to our postseason has been our mentality. We haven’t played uptight. We’ve remained calm and confident which is important. We’re playing team volleyball. I’m proud of the girls."

Simic has delivered 631 winners, 455 serves, 312 serves received, 218 digs, 141 ace serves and 37 blocks. Defensive specialist Reif has 483 serves received, 378 serves and 307 digs.

Crawford has contributed 657 assists, 421 serves and 178 digs. Other contributors are Kelsi Maier, 186 winners, 55 blocks; Macy Nachtigal, 330 serves, 231 serves received; Addison Hanzlick, 206 serves received, 53 blocks; Wilkens, 145 winners; Brynn Tarlton, 292 assists and Presley Brungardt.

"Our offense continues to be high quality and consistent," Riedl said. "The offense starts with a pass. Our serve receive is getting better. Our setters, Ellie (Crawford) and Brynn (Tarlton) work hard to get to every second ball and give a hittable ball to our attackers. We want to turn those good touches into good passes."

The last state volleyball trip for Hoisington was in 2018 under head coach Kayci Hedash.

The Cardinals play their first state tournament since 2018 against Girard (33-8), Neodesha (38-3) and Frontenac (33-9) in pool play Friday at Hutchinson.

"Everybody wants to play their best volleyball and make it to the next match," Riedl said. "You've got to be ready when you step on the court. If not, they will take that match from you. The CKL prepares us very well for that."

3A STATE  HUTCHINSON

POOL 1—Beloit 37-4 vs. Nemaha Central 39-5, 3:30; Halstead 38-2 vs. Royal Valley 32-10; Beloit vs. Royal Valley. Halstead vs. Nemaha Central; Nemaha Central vs. Royal Valley; Halstead vs. Beloit

POOL 2—Hoisington 37-4 vs. Girard 33-8, 3:30; Neodesha 38-3 vs. Frontenac 33-9; Hoisington vs. Frontenac; Neodesha vs. Girard; Girard vs. Frontenac; Hoisington vs. Neodesha

3A WEST SUBSTATES

HOISINGTON—CHAMPIONSHIP—Hoisington def. Holcomb, 25-18, 25-13; Hoisington def. Smoky Valley, 25-16, 25-23; Holcomb def. Lakin, 23-25, 25-21, 25-15

BELOIT—CHAMPIONSHIP—Beloit def.  Colby, 25-15, 25-12; Beloit def. Ellsworth, 25-12, 25-12; Colby def. Norton, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22