BY JIM MISUNAS
ELLINWOOD – Seven-time defending Central Prairie League volleyball champion Ellinwood (30-8) graduated a senior class that compiled a 131-25 record.
Ellinwood seniors Kennedy Behnke and Lauren Ringwald are riding a 111-20 record heading to their final season. The Eagles swept the Central Prairie regular season and postseason titles. Ellinwood downed Sterling 26-24, 25-13 and Ell-Saline 25-20, 25-20, but lost 25-27, 25-17, 25-17 to Inman in the 2A regional championship match.
Two-year starters Kennedy Behnke (177 serves received, 81 winners, 24 blocks) and Regan Widener (239 serves, 225 winners, 35 blocks) lead six returning veterans.
“Kennedy missed most of last year with an abdominal tear,” said Ellinwood coach Greg Maxwell, assisted by Becca Maxwell and Cami Thomas. “She played through it early in the season, displaying serious toughness and was effective. But it ultimately forced her to sit and recover until post-season.”
Other returning players are Kyndal Moore (369 serves, 309 serves, 264 winners, 148 digs, 51 blocks); Alyvia Batchman (399 assists, 295 serves, 153 digs, 135 winners); Bennett Jacobs (517 serves received, 294 digs) and Reese Stickney (363 serves, 102 digs).
Coach Maxwell likes his team’s athletic and tough-minded mental approach.
“We have multiple strengths in addition to height up front, we have strong skill players in the backcourt and a mentality of a winning culture with expectations by hard-working girls. They’ve developed a purpose and commitment to strength and conditioning which will help them achieve their goals.”
The Eagles’ experience allows for a versatile and quick-striking offense.
“Offensively, we’ve installed schemes that will give opportunities to score in key situations,” he said. “We have to be diverse to create matchup issues for opposing defenses.”
Ellinwood features the right height and athleticism to compete at a high level at the net.
“Blocking and net play continues to be a focus for our defense,” Maxwell said. “We have consistent height up front, and expect to be able to match up with primary attackers. Behind our blockers in the backcourt, we have multiple options this year. They have volleyball experience and we expect them to have a relentless desire to get to every ball.”
Ellinwood exhibited off-season progress during the summer.
“The girls played at the highest level in summer that I have seen,” he said. “We achieved goals at the Abilene Tournament and the Kearney, Neb. team camp. Multiple girls gained valuable court experience in key situations. Our depth and accumulation of court time will be a benefit this fall.”
The Eagles missed an opportunity to qualify for 2020 state because of sickness, and came up just short the past few seasons in postseason play.
“Our upperclassmen have the opportunity to lead us and will benefit from our experienced and talented young players,” Maxwell said. “They are hungry because they have fallen short. They wanted more and that’s driving them. There is a renewed purpose with our girls. We have be tested and pushed to beat the best teams.”
Last year’s runner-up St. John is poised to challenge Ellinwood, but Maxwell respects every Central Prairie League team, coach and player.
“We have a target on our back with the success we’ve had,” he said. “There are multiple teams to the goals we want to accomplish. Our league is a challenge. Our girls are proud of their position in the league and will be prepared for every match.”
Postseason 2A play has been reshaped to sort out 16 teams into 4-team regionals based on records.
“It will benefit the 2A teams, and provide an opportunity to play at the state tournament with the best teams,” he said. “Our goal will be focused on post-season success. We expect to be in the 2A state tournament. We want to be playing for something special on ‘Championship Saturday,’ in Dodge City.”
ELLINWOOD EAGLES
1—Lexi Thomas, DS/Libero, 9
2—Eleanor Joiner, DS/Libero, 9
3—Bennett Jacobs, Libero, 10
4—Kennedy Behnke, 5-11, MH, 12
5—Regan Widener, 5-9, RS, 11
6—McKena Parker, S, 9
7—Kyndal Moore, MH/S, 11
9—Alyvia Batchman, OH/S, 10
11—Lauren Ringwald, OH/S, 12
12—Reece Stickney, OPP, 10
13—Mette Maxwell, S/OH, 9
15—Natalie Smith, DS/S, 10
16—Shyria Quintana, OH, 10
17—Addie Stickney, OH, 10
18—Kaylynn Crawford, DS, 9
19—Raegan Wirtz, OH/DS, 9
22—Alya Ritchie, RS/MH, 9
23—Brynn Widener, DS/S, 9
24—Jaisley Andrasek, OH, 9
ELLINWOOD SCHEDULE
8-30—Ellinwood Jamboree
9-3—at Hillsboro/Little River
9-5—Beloit
9-12—at Victoria/Plainville
9-14—at Ellsworth Tournament; at Lyons JV
9-16—Smoky Valley/Sterling
9-19—at Russell
9-24—at *Central Plains/*Kinsley/*St. John
9-28—at Lyons Tournament
10-1—*La Crosse/*Ness City
10-3—at Larned/Hill City/Hoisington
10-8—*Macksville/*Chase
10-12—Central Prairie League at Hoisington
10-15—at *Victoria/*Otis-Bison
10-17—at Clay Center
10-21/22—at 2A regional
10-26—at 2A substate
11-1/2—at 2A state, Dodge City
