The Chieftains cracked the Kansas Volleyball Association rankings last week after taking second at their own Tonganoxie Invitational on Sept. 25. Tonganoxie knocked off Class 6A school Olathe East and state-ranked Ottawa from 5A.

Tonganoxie, meanwhile, went from not rated to No. 2 in Class 4A. After wins Sept. 28 against Basehor-Linwood and state-ranked Immaculata (3A), the Chieftains improved to 16-2.

Excited isn’t necessarily the word to describe how team members feel about being the No. 2 team in the state.

“I think they’re more maybe proud,” THS coach Brandon Parker. “And getting confidence from it that maybe they are playing well.”

But Parker also is cautious about Tonganoxie being the No. 2 team in the Land of Oz.

“They took us from not ranked to No. 2,” Parker said. “I don’t know whether we’re that.”

Tonganoxie’s new ranking has been tested. Along with Immaculata last week, Tonganoxie played Mill Valley and Lansing on Tuesday at home. Both teams were state squads last year as Mill Valley also is the defending Kaw Valley League champion. Because of deadline, reports from those matches will appear in next week’s edition of The Mirror.

The remaining schedule also includes the De Soto Spikefest on Saturday when the Chieftains could face Rossville. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 4 in Class 3A.

After that, the remaining schedule will include tests against Bishop Ward and Santa Fe Trail at home for Senior Night on Tuesday. The Chieftains then will compete in the Central Heights Tournament before

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finishing the regular season Oct. 19 in Topeka against Lawrence-Free State, Blue Valley West and Topeka High.

Joining Tonganoxie in the Class 4A rankings are No.1 Towanda-Circle (15-1), No. 3 Rose Hill (16-5), No. 4 Clearwater (11-2) and No. 5 Buhler (11-4). Buhler had the No. 2 spot the previous week, but a loss dropped the team to No. 5. Andover Central and Holton also received votes.