Bailey Poje, Kasia Baldock, Lucy Rieke and Mikinzi Smoots played in their final triangular at Chieftain Arena. Tonganoxie still has a final home match Tuesday against Mill Valley, but the squad celebrated this year’s seniors in between matches.

Along with the four players, senior managers Allie Innis and Liz Holloway were recognized with their parents during the annual ceremony. As has become tradition, each senior selected a teacher with whom they’ve connected or been inspired by during their high school careers.

Against both Atchison and Leavenworth, Tonganoxie was in charge most of each set.

The Chieftains defeated the Phoenix, 25-11, 25-10, and then swept the Pioneers, 25-12, 25-10.

THS coach Barry Lenth liked how his team took care of business in Thursday’s triangular.

“Actually with all of the distractions with Senior Night and all of that stuff, I thought we were really focused,” Lenth said.

Tonganoxie swept both teams in their series meetings. THS swept Pleasant Ridge in a triangular Sept. 7 and Atchison (7-15) in 3 sets Sept. 18. The match with Leavenworth (9-19) was a bit closer, but Tonganoxie also won that meeting, 25-20, 25-16.

THS seniors will have one more home match before the postseason. Tonganoxie faces 6A squad and former Kaw Valley League foe Mill Valley on Tuesday in the regular season finale. The Jaguars are 28-5 and placed fourth in 6A in 2022.

“As a coach you couldn’t ask for a better group of seniors,” Lenth said. “In my first year at a smaller school, I was nervous … but all four are worthy of being captains (the team has two captains). In practice they step up and say ‘hey, we need to do this.'”

Tonganoxie is just more than a week away from its shot at securing a second straight state berth.

At 24-12, the Chieftains currently have the No. 6 seed in the Class 4A East Bracket. Though there could be some movement among teams before final pairings are determined next week, as of Thursday night Tonganoxie would head south to No. 3 Chanute (25-8) for substate Oct. 21. Other projected teams in the substate are No. 11 Bishop Miege (13-16) and No. 14 Fort Scott (9-19).

Rock Creek (23-5) is the top seed in the East Bracket, while Independence (21-6), the team THS knocked off last year to go to state, is the No. 2 seed. Both of those teams would be substate hosts, as would No. 4 Eudora (21-8).

Tonganoxie has not faced Chanute or Fort Scott this season, but defeated Bishop Miege, 2-0, on Sept. 30 at the Ottawa Invitational (25-23, 25-15).

Lenth said the team has been playing well with the postseason around the corner. Though the squad has been without setter Kalea Baldock due to a season-ending knee injury weeks ago, Lucy Rieke is back from an ankle injury. Riley Pankey has dealt with a nagging ankle injury as well.

After Thursday’s matches, Lenth also spoke of Baylie Igleheart coming on strong late in the season.