ELLINWOOD – The Ellinwood Eagles outhit St. John 20-25, 25-12, 25-10 to capture the Eagles’ sixth consecutive Central Prairie League volleyball championship. The Eagles (32-3) will be the No. 1 seed at the 2A WaKeeney substate ahead of defending state champion Smith Center. It marks the fourth consecutive year coach Greg Maxwell has led the Eagles to 30-plus wins.

As usual, Bella Baker played flawlessly as the Eagles’ setter. Hard-hitting Brittany Simpson and Gabby Jacobs led the attack at the net. Others contributing were Regan Widener, Lauren Knop, Kennedy Behnke, Kyndal Moore and Anna Ricker. Ellinwood downed La Crosse, Ness City and Macksville to reach the championship match.

St. John countered with standout play by Lydia Reed, Mariah Sanders and Heidi Fisher. The Tigers downed Otis-Bison, Central Plains and Macksville to qualify for the championship  match.  

CENTRAL PRAIRIE LEAGUE

WINNERS BRACKET—1—Ellinwood def. St. John, 20-25, 25-12, 25-10; Ellinwood def. Macksville, 25-20, 25-12; St. John def. Macksville, 25-11, 25-20

CONSOLATION—4—Victoria def. Otis-Bison, 25-12, 18-25, 25-18; Otis-Bison def. La Crosse, 25-12, 25-9; Victoria def. La Crosse, 25-19, 23-25, 25-11

CONSOLATION— 7—Ness City def. Central Plains, 25-20, 20-25, 25-20; Ness City def. Kinsley, 25-12, 25-18; Central Plains def. Kinsley, 25-10, 25-10;

POOL A—St. John def. Otis-Bison, 25-19, 25-18; St. John def. Central Plains, 25-21, 25-21; Otis-Bison def. Central Plains, 25-19, 17-25, 25-19

POOL B—Ellinwood def. La Crosse, 25-13, 25-9; Ellinwood def. Ness City, 23-25, 25-17, 25-20; La Crosse def. Ness City, 19-25, 25-23, 25-22

POOL C—Macksville def. Victoria, 25-23, 26-24; Macksville def. Kinsley, 25-14, 25-17; Victoria def. Kinsley, 25-14, 25-16