The Emporia High volleyball team’s season ended in its Class 5A substate final on Saturday at McPherson, where the Spartans lost to Newton in straight sets.
The Railers beat the Spartans 25-16, 25-6. In that match, Emporia was without setter Megan McRell, who was injured earlier in the day during the Spartans’ first-round victory over Great Bend.
“In the game against Newton, I think the girls were a little unsure of themselves,” EHS coach Ashley Nehls said. “They knew Newton was a tough team, and we were a little hesitant after the lineup changes.”
Emporia defeated Great Bend in three sets, 25-23, 24-26, 28-26. But at the beginning of the second set, McRell tripped over another player and broke her wrist. Bailey Sosa came off the bench to replace McRell in the setter’s role, and Lindy Arndt also set for the rest of the Great Bend win and for the match against Newton (33-9).
“The girls played with so much character and intensity against (Great Bend), even with the adjustments we had to make,” Nehls said. “Lindy had never set in a game before, but did a great job stepping up and taking on the challenge.”
Lauren Longbine had 18 kills over the two matches to lead Emporia, Sarah Kolmer had 13, Arndt had eight and Courtney Waldner had six. Despite her injury, McRell ended up as the Spartans’ assist leader with 17, followed by Sosa with 15 and Arndt with 10. Andrea Markowitz had 19 digs and also led Emporia with three aces, all of which came in one set against Great Bend. Taylor Elbe had 16 digs, and Kolmer had 15. Gladys Azzun led Emporia with nine assist blocks, and Waldner paced the Spartans with four solo blocks.
The Spartans ended Nehls’ first season as head coach with a 17-22 mark. They’ll lose just three seniors: Arndt, Azzun and Markowitz.