MHS spikers seek redemption at state
By STEVE SELL, Sentinel Sports Editor

Cheryl Malm believes her McPherson High volleyball team can learn from past experiences.
A year ago, the Bullpups advanced to the Final Four at the Class 5A State Tournament in Topeka, only to finish fourth.
"Quite honestly last year, we were a little shellshocked," Malm said.
The Bullpups are looking to make amends beginning Friday at the Expocentre. Just like last year, they open with a Newton team they already have defeated this year. That match starts at 3:30, followed at 5:30 by a match against Shawnee Heights, with the last match at 7:30 against Kapaun.
"The girls saw the level of play where they need to be at (last year)," said Malm, whose team is 38-1 and winners of 30 straight. "In practice, they'll be doing a drill and say, 'this won't cut it when we play the good teams.' They know just how good the teams are."
The general consensus is that there are five legitimate teams vying for four spots. MHS has two of them in its pool, Shawnee Heights and Kapaun. Last year, MHS defeated Newton in its pool and then knocked Kapaun out, while losing to Carroll, though the Golden Eagles came back to defeat MHS in the third-place match.
"Miege, Shawnee Heights, Carroll and Kapaun all have such tradition," Malm said.
Malm noted Shawnee Heights doesn't have great size, but is quick and covers the court well. Kapaun is loaded, including a Division I signee and a setter that Malm says is among the best in the state. And she's not discounting Newton, a team that figures to have nothing to lose since it has so many young players who figure to gain experience for next year.
Malm has relied on nine players all year, seven of them seniors. Many of the seniors have been playing club volleyball every summer for several years, and this is the culmination of all their hard work.
MHS can be imposing at the net with the likes of Lindsey Oliver, Marlies Gipson and Ashley Sweat, while Kayla Stout and Monica Adcock are excellent hitters. Melissa Watson is the team's top setter, while also in the rotation are Lauren Russell, Jaci Nuttle and Abby Vogts. Stout, Watson, Nuttle and Vogts are all excellent servers with good placement.
The top two pool teams advance to the Final Four on Saturday. Miege is the two-time defending champion and has won nine championships since 1985. During that same time, Carroll has won seven times and Shawnee Heights has won twice. The only other team to win state since 1985 is Aquinas, which is now a Class 6A school.

McPherson Unified School District 418
514 N. Main
McPherson, KS 67460
620-241-9400
It is the policy of McPherson USD 418 not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race,
religion, color, age, or national origin in its educational programs and/or activities, nor in its employment practices.

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