THS went 4-0 in pool play and 2-0 in the tournament on its way to a tournament title.

Perhaps just as impressive as the undefeated mark was which teams THS defeated.

Tonganoxie faced three teams that either won a state title in 2024 or was runner-up.

THS defeated last year’s Class 3A runner-up Nemaha Central in pool play in three sets and then later defeated Maranatha Christian Academy in the semifinals in three sets. MCA is the defending 2A state champions. Tonganoxie then defeated the 4A runner-up from last year, Rock Creek, in two sets.

THS coach Kyle South said the team put it all together Saturday after dropping back-to-back matches at home last week to Paola and De Soto.

“They were excited,” South said. “That was their goal going into the tournament, was to get out there and win it.

“Especially in the semifinal and finals, that’s the best volleyball I’ve seen us play in the two years I’ve been here, so that’s encouraging moving forward.”

Finley Rieke had 13 kills, a block and three digs in the match against Rock Creek. Addy Schooler had a .700 hitting percentage with 8 kills on 10 swings and 2 blocks in the finals as well.

For the tournament, Rieke had 58 kills and a hitting percentage of .301, along with 31 digs and 6 blocks. Schooler had 29 kills and a hitting percentage of .490, along with 11 blocks.

Kalea Baldock amassed 129 assists, 11 kills and 22 digs, while Charleigh Crane had 10 blocks, 25 kills and 10 aces. Kaitlyn Dale had 52 digs as libero.

Tonganoxie improved to 9-3 overall with the tournament title. THS had dropped a five-set match to Paola on Sept. 9 and then fell to De Soto, which is ranked No. 9 in Class 5A, on Thursday.

Paola got out to a 2-0 advantage after the Panthers finally took the second set, 31-29. THS would respond in another exciting set, 26-24. Tonganoxie took the fourth set, again by two, 25-23, before Paola would bounce back for a 15-11 victory in the fifth set.

THS held its own against De Soto in another home match Thursday, but De Soto would get the sweep, 25-22, 25-17, 25-20.

South said he didn’t think the team had been playing up to its potential last week, but is encouraged with how the team bounced back. He said the squad really went up a level after being up and down earlier in the tourney.

“We’re just trying to take the learning experience that the tournament was,” South explained. “The baseline level we have to work it and bring it into the practice gym every day.

“We’re just trying to find that vibe and play that way consistently and not just sporadically.”

He said against teams like Paola and De Soto, the Chieftains can’t rely on flipping the switch later in the match.

Tonganoxie faced Emporia and Baldwin on Tuesday at home after The Mirror’s print deadline. The team will then take on Manhattan and Mill Valley next Monday in Manhattan and then be back home the next day against Ottawa. For more, see tonganoxiemirror.com.

Tourney results

Pool play

THS def. Nemaha Central, 25-13, 14-25, 25-22

THS def. Horton, 25-13, 25-11

THS def. Northeast Kansas homeschool team, 25-15, 25-14

THS def. Hiawatha, 25-14, 25-18

Semifinals

THS def. Maranatha, 25-14, 17-25, 25-17

Championship

THS def. Rock Creek, 25-14, 25-18