The Emporia High volleyball team wrapped up a full week of action Tuesday night by going 1-2 at the Manhattan Quad in Manhattan.
Playing their 12th, 13th and 14th matches in seven days, the Lady Spartans lost to Washburn Rural, the top-ranked team in the state, and Manhattan before picking up a victory over Highland Park.
Emporia opened with Washburn Rural, and the defending Class 6A champions dominated from start to finish in taking the 25-7, 25-10 victory.
“They are just good,” EHS coach Kendra Bloomquist said. “They have a lot more experience than we do, and they have more skill. They basically are running like a well-oiled machine right now.”
Sadie Webb led EHS against the Lady Blues with four kills, while Hilary Heinrichs had three. Ashley Lake had 11 digs and Amber Miller had 10.
In Match No. 2, Emporia took Manhattan to three games before falling, 20-25, 25-19, 25-19.
Emporia controlled Game One throughout, building leads of 10-5 and 18-12 to take go up, 1-0. Manhattan returned the favor in Game Two to tie the match at 1, sending the match into a deciding third game.
The two teams played to a 6-all tie in Game Three before the Lady Indians went on a 7-2 run to take control, eventually taking the game and the match. Webb again led the way with seven kills, while Taylor Hollond, Heinrichs and Lake each tallied five kills. Heinrichs also had 17 digs.
“That was a tough loss,” Bloomquist said. “I was disappointed. I thought we were a little lethargic after that first game.”
Emporia finally got in the win column with a 25-15, 25-8 victory over Highland Park in the nightcap. Lake paced the Lady Spartans with eight kills, while Webb had seven and Jessica Decker had six. Lake and Cali Schelling each had nine digs.
“We simply took care of business there,” Bloomquist said.
Washburn Rural slams Spartans, 5-0
The Emporia High boys soccer team certainly has had a turnaround season so far, but not enough of one to overcome No. 2-ranked Washburn Rural.
The undefeated Junior Blues whipped the Spartans (8-3, 4-3 Centennial League) 5-0 Tuesday night, running their record to 11-0-1 this season.
Washburn Rural benefited from several Emporia mistakes in the first half to take control of the game. The Junior Blues got a score when Emporia’s Brian Tabares accidentally knocked the ball into the Spartans’ net, and Rural then added two more goals thanks to a goalie error by Spencer Anderson and then off a direct kick from 50 yards out that deflected off the leg of an EHS defender.
Rural’s two second half goals were all their own, however, as Sean McAlister scored in the 73rd minute on a one-on-one opportunity and then Blake Shinn knocked home a cross with 8.1 seconds left.
“Rural is just super,” EHS coach Steve Pearson said. “There’s a reason they’re ranked so high. They were just better than us.”
Emporia next will travel to Wichita to take on Bishop Carroll at 6:30 p.m. next Tuesday.
Washburn Rural 5, Emporia 0
Tuesday at Topeka
Emporia 0 0 — 0
Washburn Rural 3 2 — 5
Shots on goal — Emporia 5, WR 10. Saves — Emporia: Anderson 5; WR 5. Corner kicks — Emporia 0, WR 7. Direct kicks — Emporia 15, WR 5. Fouls — Emporia 5, WR 15.