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Eight seniors setting THS volleyball bar high

By Eric Sorrentino - | Aug 29, 2007

The Tonganoxie High volleyball team likely won’t need a motivational speech before its first match of the season Sept. 4 at Holton.

The Chieftains will start the 2007 season in the same gymnasium they finished last season — at Holton.

Holton knocked Tonganoxie out of the 2006 sub-state championship game.

“I think we’re all fired up to play, and then making it (against) Holton is just that extra icing on the cake, which would make the win even better,” senior outside hitter Tracie Hileman said. “I think it’s a good start, not for revenge, but for a little showdown.”

Expectations are high this season for a THS team that will field nine players on its varsity roster. Eight are seniors.

For the past six seasons, Tonganoxie has lost in the sub-state championship match.

“We’re expecting to have our best season yet,” senior libero Hannah Herrstrom said. “We all want it. For the past three years, we’ve just missed it by a little bit. This year, we’re not going to miss it. We’re going to take it. We want to go to state.”

The Chieftains went 32-9 last season under co-coaches Tiffany and Brandon Parker. The Parkers have compiled a 149-72 record entering their seventh year.

Seniors Hileman, Herrstrom, Shannon Carlin, Liz Baska, Sami Franiuk, Roxi Grizzle, Lindsey Himpel and Jessie Witledge will replace graduated seniors Ali Pistora and Rachel Bogard this season. Chrissy Jeannin, a junior, is the only varsity player who’s not a senior. Experience is all over the floor at every position.

“I don’t want to sound cocky or anything, but there’s really no weak spots,” Hileman said. “I set my goals high. I want to see state. That’s where I’m going.”