Wichita’s top 25 volleyball teams: Will any area teams bring home a state title?
The balls are about to start bouncing again.
Volleyball season starts Friday across Kansas, and some of the Wichita area’s best high school programs have their eyes set on a state championship. Here are the top 25 contenders for that honor in 2020:
1. Bishop Carroll Golden Eagles
Expectations are high for Carroll volleyball in 2020; then again, they always are. Last year, the Eagles reached state for the third straight year, but for the first time in that stretch, they didn’t win any pool play matches. This year, like was the case in 2018, Carroll is seeking at least a state semifinal.
2. Maize South Mavericks
Maize South has been knocking on the door of a state semifinal for years now. The Mavericks have reached each of the past two Class 5A state tournaments but have one pool play win in those two events combined. Maize South has proven capable of local success, but the question will be whether that can translate to state.
3. Andover Trojans
Andover has had as much talent as anyone in the Wichita area in recent years. The Trojans were considered a Wichita-area favorite to reach a state semifinal last year but were swept, including losses to then-league rivals Maize South and Goddard.
4. Derby Panthers
Derby was Wichita’s Cinderella story last year. The Panthers reached the Class 6A state tournament for the first time since 2002 and were one win away from reaching the semifinals. Derby lost its All-Metro setter Sydney Nilles, but the Panthers bring back a lot of experience from last year’s team.
5. Cheney Cardinals
In terms of small schools in the Wichita area, few can compete with Cheney. The Cardinals play a loaded schedule and often come out victorious. With several mulit-sport athletes on the roster, Cheney has brought home a runner-up and third-place trophy in each of the past two seasons.
6. Andale Indians
No team in the Wichita area has come closer to a Class 4A state championship since Rose Hill went back-to-back in 2016-17. Andale reached the championship match and fell one set short of beating Topeka-Hayden. The Indians now regroup that will look vastly different from last year’s team.
7. McPherson Bullpups
McPherson has one of the brightest young players in the country. Junior Rhian Swanson has already trained with USA Volleyball. She is one of the top outside hitters in her class, and if the Bullpups are to make the jump back to state, they will go through her.
8. Kapaun Mt. Carmel Crusaders
Losing a Division I, two-time All-Metro libero is never easy. Ryen Wilkens went down as one of the best players to come out of Kapaun, but the Crusaders, under first-year coach Taryn Scott, will look to replace her and get back to state for the first time since 2013 when the Crusaders took third place.
9. Newton Railroaders
Newton has gone through a few lean years, but it is ready to contend again in 2020 by the looks of its roster. With a nice blend of youth and experience and a couple of players who will contend for All-Metro positions, the Railers are certainly a Class 5A darkhorse.
10. Maize Eagles
The Eagles are always a solid choice to reach state volleyball. Maize has state tournament pedigree but hasn’t been to the event since 2015 and hasn’t won a pool play match since 2012. Maize has been hovering around a .500 winning percentage but will hope to make a leap this season.
11. Circle Thunderbirds
Under coach Shelby Nibarger, Circle is always capable of making noise at state. Last year, when few expected the Thunderbirds to come out of pool play, Circle brought home the third-place trophy in Class 4A.
12. Trinity Academy Knights
Trinity was hit with a brutal sub-state tournament last year and failed to qualify for state, but the Knights certainly have the talent to contend for a place in the state semifinals. Senior Austin Broadie has been a staple for Trinity for years.
13. Garden Plain Owls
Garden Plain lost six seniors from last year’s team. The Owls failed to repeat as state champions, and in fact, they are still the most recent title-winners out of the Wichita area. If coach Gina Clark can get the most out of her youth, the Owls will continue to contend.
14. Goddard Lions
Goddard lot a lot, but the experience it gained last year was outstanding. The Lions qualified for the Class 5A semifinals after beating then-league rivals Maize South and Andover in pool play. If that momentum carries over, despite a youthful roster, Goddard could be dangerous again.
15. Wichita East Blue Aces*
East has a great volleyball tradition. In the early 2010s, the Aces were almost a lock to reach the state tournament every year. Although they might not even get the chance to compete in 2020, East is looking to bring back that winning culture with some talented players.
16. Buhler Crusaders
17. Hesston Swathers
18. Belle Plaine Dragons
19. Nickerson Panthers
20. Wichita Northwest Grizzlies*
21. Eisenhower Tigers
22. Augusta Orioles
23. Valley Center Hornets
24. Collegiate Spartans
25. Sedgwick Cardinals
*: Teams compete in USD 259, Wichita Public Schools, whose season has been canceled as of Wednesday.
League Predictions
City League
- Bishop Carroll
- Kapaun Mt. Carmel
- Wichita East
- Wichita Northwest
- Wichita Southeast
- Wichita Heights
- Wichita West
- Wichita South
- Wichita North
AVCTL I
- Maize South
- Derby
- Newton
- Maize
- Hutchinson
- Salina South
- Campus
AVCTL II
- Andover
- Goddard
- Eisenhower
- Valley Center
- Salina Central
- Andover Central
- Arkansas City
AVCTL III
- McPherson
- Circle
- Buhler
- Augusta
- El Dorado
- Winfield
AVCTL IV
- Andale
- Collegiate
- Rose Hill
- Wellington
- Clearwater
- Mulvane
Central Plains League
- Cheney
- Trinity Academy
- Garden Plain
- Belle Plaine
- Chaparral
- Kingman
- Medicine Lodge
- Douglass
- Independent
- Conway Springs
Central Kansas League
- Hesston
- Nickerson
- Haven
- Smoky Valey
- Halstead
- Hillsboro
- Lyons
- Pratt
- Hoisington
- Larned