RUSSELL — After a slow start due to coronavirus, the defending 1A state champion Central Plains Oiler volleyball team is rolling. The Oilers roared past Norton 25-17, 25-19 in Saturday’s Russell Tournament championship. 

After a 12-12 tie, Oiler Callie Zink took charge on her serving. Zink’s ace was followed by winners by Riley Thompson and Shaylah Kempke for a 20-12 lead. Oeser’s winners closed the first set 25-17.

After a 19-19 second-set tie, Kempke served an ace and Oeser deliveres winners on back-to-back points for a 24-19 lead. Oeser hit the match-ending winner.

Central Plains survived three-set matches against Goodland 16-25, 25-23, 25-18 and Hosington 22-25, 25-21, 25-19. Goodland led 21-16 in the second set before the Oilers rallied. Lexi Oeser hit three aces. Kassidy Nixon and  Ryenne Cunningham hi winners for a 21-21 tie. Kashlin Beck, Nixon and Cunningham delivered the final Oiler points at the net to secure the set for a 25-23 second set.

“The team really played well together,” said Central Plains coach Lisa Crites. “We made good adjustments on the back row.” 

Vastly-improved Hoisington (2-1) earned wins against Russell and Goodland.

RUSSELL TOURNAMENT

POOL A—Central Plains def. Goodland, 16-25, 25-23, 25-18; Central Plains def. Hoisington, 22-25, 25-21, 25-19; Central Plains def. Russell, 25-8, 25-23; Hoisington def. Russell, 26-28, 25-11, 25-19; Hoisington def. Goodland, 21-25, 25-22, 25-16; Goodland def. Russell, 25-17, 25-10; 

POOL B—Norton def. Larned, 25-13, 25-20; Norton def. Topeka West, 21-25, 25-21, 25-22; Norton def. Minneapolis, 25-22, 25-15; Topeka West def. Larned, 18-25, 25-21, 25-16; Topeka West def. Minneapolis, 25-23, 25-20; Minneapolis def. Larned, 16-25, 25-21, 25-19

CHAMPIONSHIP—Central Plains def. Norton, 25-17, 25-19 

CENTRAL PLAINS QUAD—Central Plains def. Natoma 25-4, 25-7; Central Plains def. Chase 25-11, 25-8; Central Plains def. Sylvan Grove 25-11, 25-17; Sylvan Grove def. Chase 25-6, 25-13; Sylvan Grove def. Natoma 25-4, 25-5; Chase def. Natoma 25-18, 25-13

Tigers win Pawnee Heights title

ROZEL — Pawnee Heights continues to show vast improvement with four solid victories over Macksville, Stafford, Natoma and Stafford 25-11, 25-22 in Saturday’s championship match.

PAWNEE HEIGHTS TOURNAMENT

Pawnee Heights def. Macksville, 25-12, 22-25, 25-23; Pawnee Heights def. Stafford, 25-17, 25-14; Pawnee Heights def. Natoma, 25-9, 25-8; CHAMPIONSHIP—Pawnee Heights def. Stafford, 25-11, 25-22; Stafford def. Macksville, 25-18, 25-27, 25-23; Stafford def. Natoma, 25-7, 25-14; Macksville def. Natoma, 25-9, 25-12; Macksville def. Natoma, 25-12, 25-12