Central Plains Oiler Kassidy Nixon earned her second consecutive Player of the Year honor from the Kansas Volleyball Coaches Association.  Nixon was named 1A Division 2 Player of the Year. She was 1A Division 1 Player of the Year in 2020.

Nixon was named first team 1A Division 2 all-state. Teammate Riley Thompson earned second-team all-state honors. Oiler Madison McGuire earned third-team all-state honors.

Two-time state champion Central Plains (32-10) placed third in 1A Division 2 with a 25-29, 26-24 victory over Hutchinson Central Christian. State runner-up Lebo downed the Oilers 25-23, 25-20 in the semifinals.

Ellinwood setter/middle blocker Gabby Jacobs was named second team all-state for the Central Prairie League champions. Ellinwood’s Bella Baker earned third-team all-state honors. 

The Eagles (35-8) placed fourth in the 2A state volleyball tournament. Smith Center downed Ellinwood 25-20, 25-11 in the semifinals. Garden Plain beat the Eagles 23-25, 25-6, 25-19 for third place. 

KANSAS VOLLEYBALL COACHES

1A DIVISION 1 ALL-STATE

Second team—Darby Smith, St. John, 5-10, MB, 12

1A DIVISION 2 ALL-STATE

First team—Kassidy Nixon, Central Plains, 5-9, MB, 12 (Player of the Year)

Second team—Riley Thompson, Central Plains, 5-6, setter, 12

Third team—Madison McGuire, Central Plains, 5-11, MB, 12

2A ALL-STATE

Second team—Gabby Jacobs, Ellinwood, 5-10, setter/MB, 11

Third team—Bella Baker, Ellinwood, 5-6, OH, 11