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Tonganoxie earns landmark win against Mill Valley

By Shawn Linenberger - | Oct 12, 2005

Tonganoxie doesn’t have as good a record this year as in the past three years, but this year’s Chieftain volleyball squad accomplished something it hadn’t before — defeat Mill Valley.

Last week, THS defeated the Jaguars in two games, 25-21, 25-21, a first for coaches Tiffany and Brandon Parker, who came to Tonganoxie in 2001.

“Mill Valley’s the best match we’ve played all year,” co-coach Brandon Parker said of the Chieftains’ victory in a triangular in Lansing.

Of course, the inconsistency that can show with a young team peeked through in the next match against Lansing — another team the Chieftains haven’t defeated during the Parkers’ era.

Lansing is one of the top teams in the state, but costly THS errors led to a two-game victory for the Lions.

Lansing ran away with the match, 25-10, 25-13.

On Saturday, Tonganoxie traveled east for the De Soto Spikefest.

Tonganoxie defeated Baldwin (25-23, 25-20), Spring Hill (25-23, 25-21) and Maranatha (25-11, 25-11). THS lost to Rossville, 25-21, 25-17. The 3-1 outing qualified the Chieftains for bracket play.

In the semifinals, Tonganoxie met Eudora in a rematch of last year’s substate title game.

Eudora again defeated Tonganoxie, this time in two games. EHS won, 25-19, 25-18.

And in the consolation match, Tonganoxie fell to De Soto in three, 25-23, 22-25, 25-23.

The Chieftains finished the tournament in fourth place and improved their season record to 14-11.

“We played all right against Rossville,” Brandon Parker said. “That’s just an experienced team. That’s what Eudora and Rossville have over us — they’re experienced.”

Rossville, which is ranked No. 3 in the state, remained undefeated after beating Eudora in the championship match. Although Eudora is not ranked in 4A, Parker said earlier in the season that they should be.

Tonganoxie continued its season Tuesday on the road near Carbondale against Santa Fe Trail and Bishop Ward. The Chieftains will complete the regular season next Tuesday at Blue Valley West. THS will play Lawrence-Free State, Blue Valley West and Topeka High that night.

And Oct. 22, THS will host a 4A substate tournament.