HOISINGTON — No. 2 ranked 2A Ellinwood downed No. 9 ranked St. John 25-23, 25-15 to capture the Eagles' eighth consecutive Central Prairie League postseason title Saturday. The Eagles have also swept the Central Prairie League regular season title in multiple years.

Ellinwood (32-2) won six matches and 12 consecutive sets. Eagles Kennedy Behnke, Regan Widener, Kyndal Moore, Alyvia Batchman, Bennett Jacobs, Reese Stickney, Mette Maxwell, Alyva Ritchie and Brynn Widener have been valuable contributors.

“I was proud of the girls’ level of consistency all day,” said Ellinwood volleyball coach Greg Maxwell. “We’re working on key aspects on our side of the net to raise our standard of play moving forward. It was a successful day. I liked how the team reacted in pressure situations in the finals. We made the plays we needed to when it mattered most.”

Ellinwood’s dominance was on full display throughout the tournament as they overwhelmed their opponents with both precision and power. With every player contributing, the Eagles showcased the depth and determination that have made them one of the top 2A teams in Kansas.

Coach Maxwell also acknowledged the significance of the program’s remarkable success over the past decade. 

“It’s special for our program to earn an eighth straight title. I’m proud of all the girls who have been part of these CPL Tournament Championships,” Maxwell said.

As the Eagles prepare to enter the postseason, they’ll look to carry this momentum forward and make another deep run, keeping their eyes on a potential state championship.

For Ellinwood, this CPL title win is not just another trophy but a testament to years of hard work, commitment, and excellence—qualities that continue to define the Eagles’ volleyball program.

CENTRAL PRAIRIE LEAGUE

1ST—Ellinwood def. St. John, 25-23, 25-15 

3RD—Ness City def. Victoria, 23-25, 25-21, 26-24

5TH—Otis-Bison def. Macksville, 25-21, 25-13

7TH—Central Plains def. La Crosse, 25-16, 25-20 

9TH—Kinsley def. Chase, 25-14, 25-18

SEMIFINALS—Ellinwood def. Ness City, 25-5, 25-6; St. John def. Victoria, 25-19, 25-23

POOL 1—Ellinwood def. Victoria, 25-17, 25-5; Ellinwood def. La Crosse, 25-10, 25-10; Ellinwood def. Otis-Bison 25-6, 25-9; Ellinwood def. Chase, 25-2, 25-2; Victoria def. La Crosse, 25-15, 25-14; Victoria def. Chase, 25-7, 25-5; Victoria def. Otis-Bison, 25-23, 22-25, 25-15; La Crosse def. Chase, 25-11, 25-17; Otis-Bison def. Chase, 25-15, 25-9; Otis-Bison def. La Crosse, 25-22, 25-10

POOL 2—St. John def. Macksville, 25-13, 25-15; St. John def. Ness City, 25-23, 25-16; St. John def. Kinsley, 25-7, 25-5; Ness City def. Central Plains, 25-14, 25-19; Ness City def. Macksville, 25-19, 21-25, 25-16; Ness City def. Kinsley, 25-22, 25-12; Central Plains def. St. John, 25-18, 20-25, 25-22; Central Plains def. Kinsley, 25-14, 25-23; Macksville def. Central Plains, 25-21, Macksville def. Kinsley, 25-14, 25-21