MHS spikers take 1st

CHENEY -- Even though they're not in the same division of the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League and not close in proximity, the McPherson High volleyball team has developed a simmering rivalry with Valley Center.
And what better time to beat a rival than in the finals of a tournament?
The Bullpups dialed up their game a notch Saturday in the finals of the Cheney Invitational to defeat Valley Center, 25-17 and 25-14. It was the Bullpups' third straight tournament victory, adding this notch in their championship belt to go along with titles at Newton and their own tournament.
"We've developed a rivalry with Valley Center and it was pretty emotional," MHS coach Cheryl Malm said of the match. "We wanted it pretty bad and we raised our level of play."
The Bullpups had advanced to the finals by knocking off Cheney (25-7, 25-13) in what Malm called, "our best match of the day."
In pool play, the Bullpups didn't bring out their A-game, defeating Goddard (25-23, 25-18), Andover (19-25, 25-23, 25-14) and Augusta (25-21, 25-20).
"We didn't play well in pool play at all," Malm said. "We were just off. We didn't make the plays like we should have, and give credit to the people we played."
But again, Malm said her team always seems to do what it has to when push comes to shove, and MHS now has shoved around 33 of 34 opponents, the only loss coming to 6A school Garden City.
The Bullpups make their final home appearance Tuesday and it's an important night for many reasons. They host Salina Central twice (5 and 7 p.m.) and if they win both, they run the Ark Valley League Chisholm Trail League table as they are 8-0. Last year, MHS went 14-0 in the old AVL, so it has won 22 straight matches over two years. Campus is the third team in the triangular.
Also, MHS is just one win short of the school record for victories in a season, as it won 34 matches last year. And finally, it's Senior Night, which will take place before the 7 p.m. match.

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.

Comments or suggestions? Contact the Webmaster