Eli McDaniel | social media editor
Volleyball enters the postseason with confidence, knowing there’s a shot at qualifying for a fourth-straight state tournament.
“We definitely have the capability to win our sub-state,” senior Lauren Schutter said. “We have a well-rounded team and a lot of experience with our squad this year. We played Valley Heights and Herington at sub-state last year and they are returning solid teams this year. We just need to play how we know how to play.”
Volleyball will be hosting the sub-state tournament Saturday for the second time in three years. Wabaunsee will compete against Bennington, Ell-Saline, Herington, Republic County, Sacred Heart, St. Marys and Valley Heights. “We have a good chance. Valley Heights is our main competition. I hope we can make it to state again for my senior year,” senior Kara Hafenstine said.
The team, which finished its regular season at 29-8, is ranked seventh in 2A by the Kansas Volleyball Coaches Association. The team has the #2 seed at sub-state, which means a rematch with #7 seed St. Marys (9-25) at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Senior Lauren Schutter hit her 1000th career kill earlier this month — especially impressive because she was injured her freshman year, meaning all 1000 kills came from her sophomore, junior, and unfinished senior year. Schutter was humble, saying, “I just give credit to all of my awesome setters Kara Hafenstine, Annie Wright and Macy Falk.”
As far as taking on new challenges goes, junior setter Annie Wright is switching from three rotations to six to give the setters more exposure around the court. Wright said, “It’s made me have to stay focused and positive the whole match, since I’m playing most of the time.”
Wright said she feel confident in the team as it heads to the postseason. “If we work hard and have a good week of practice we can win the sub-state.”
The Charger 
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