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Central Plains volleyball makes return Class 2A trip
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The Central Plains volleyball team has been perfect. The top-seeded and top-ranked Oilers are 38-0 heading to Friday’s Class 2A state volleyball tournament at Emporia.
Central Plains beat perennial state qualifier Hillsboro, 25-17, 14-25, 25-13, to end Hillsboro’s streak of seven consecutive trips to the state volleyball tournament. LaCrosse handed the Oilers their only other loss in a set this season.
The Oilers were literally two points away from reaching the state championship match last season.
“We were right there last year ready to play for a state championship,” said Kim Rolfs, Central Plains coach. “The next thing I knew we were playing for third place.”
The Oilers finished third in Class 2A last year with a 25-23, 25-18 victory over Spearville. The Oilers lost to eventual champion Washington 20-25, 25-22, 25-23 in the semifinals and runner-up Alma-Wabaunsee 25-14, 20-25, 25-16 in pool play. Spearville and Wabaunsee also return to state tournament.
“I truly believe we are playing our best volleyball of the season,” said Rolfs. “We’re playing more consistent volleyball this season and taking care of business. We’re a stronger-hitting team that has put more power behind the hits. We’re showing our athleticism.”
The Oilers have captured the past two Class 2A state basketball titles.
“It’s obvious how competitive these girls are because of the success they’ve had,” Rolfs said. “Both times we lost a set this year, the girls responded with a big effort.”
Central Plains’ key players have been Taylor Rolfs, Kylee Kasselman and Kassidy Pflughoeft, Cassidy Crites, Reagan Phelan, Chelsey Bieberle, and Taylor Oeser.
Central Plains joins Coldwater-South Central (34-5), Olathe Heritage (33-5) and returning state qualifier Smith Center (22-17) in their pool Friday.
Last year’s Class 2A runner-up Alma-Wabaunsee (24-15), fourth-place finisher No. 2 ranked Spearville (37-2), No. 3 ranked state qualifier Pittsburg Colgan (36-3) and Hill City (22-14) comprise an experienced second pool.

CLASS 2A
At Emporia, White Auditorium
Pool 1—Claflin Central Plains 38-0 vs. Smith Center 22-17, 3:30 p.m.; Coldwater-South Central 34-5 vs. Olathe Heritage 33-5, 4:30; Central Plains vs. Olathe Heritage, 5:30; South Central vs. Smith Center, 6:30; Olathe Heritage vs. Smith Center, 7:30; Central Plains vs. South Central, 8:30
Pool 2—Spearville 37-2 vs. Hill City 22-14, 3:30 p.m.; Pittsburg Colgan 36-3 vs. Alma-Wabaunsee 24-15, 4:30; Spearville vs. Alma-Wabaunsee, 5:30; Pittsburg Colgan vs. Hill City, 6:30; Alma-Wabaunsee vs. Hill City, 7:30; Spearville vs. Pittsburg Colgan, 8:30