Coming off a five-set loss Oct. 7 at home against Piper, The Chieftains (13-19) opened with back-to-back losses against Lansing (25-12, 25-11) and Spring Hill (22-25, 25-23, 25-21) before defeating Pittsburg in straight sets (25-19, 25-19). They couldn’t replicate that success in their final two matches, as they fell to Leavenworth (25-14, 25-20) and Baldwin (25-14, 25-22).

“It wasn’t our best outing, and I think all the girls knew that,” coach Tiffany Parker said. “It was one of those days where nothing quite went right for us. It wasn’t for a lack of effort, but it was just one of those days.”

The tournament took place at the home of Tonganoxie’s sub-state tournament, set for Oct. 25. The entire field — host school DHS, Basehor-Linwood and Eudora — was present, but all three schools played in another pool, so THS didn’t face any head-to-head. However, Parker said she had the opportunity to watch the other teams in action.

The Chieftains will close out their Kaw Valley League schedule Tuesday at Bishop Ward. They’ll be back on the court Monday when they travel to Perry-Lecompton for a triangular with the Kaws and Bishop Seabury Academy. They’ll wrap up the regular season Oct. 21 with a senior night dual against Bonner Springs.

“Once sub-state hits, it’s going to be who’s hot at that time,” Parker said. “A lot can change, and we’re looking forward to refining some of the things we need to work on.”