The BVNW varsity volleyball team placed second in the 6A state championship this Friday and Saturday at the Topeka Expocentre.

Going into Friday, BVNW had a record of 23-15. The team took third place at state last season, and according to head coach Molly Haggerty, they had a goal to place top third again this year.

BVNW played three pool play matches Friday against Blue Valley West (35-4), Washburn Rural (30-10) and Manhattan High School (24-13) They lost 0-2 in the match against BVW, but then rebounded in their matches against MHS and Washburn, defeating both in their matches, 2-1.

After Washburn lost to BVW in the final deciding match of the night, BVNW officially advanced to the state championship semifinals Saturday.

The team defeated Olathe Northwest (38-1) in the first semifinal match Saturday, 2-1, and advanced to the final match against BVW.

After defeating BVW in the first set, BVNW lost the second set, claiming runner-up.

“I am definitely disappointed, but no one thought we would be here in the championships,” senior Hannah Vanbuskirk said, “so I’m proud of what we did in the [Olathe] Northwest game, I’m obviously disappointed about how we did in the [BVW] game, but overall I’m still happy that we’re here.”
Vanbuskirk said a significant challenge the team faced in the final match against BVW was a loss of energy and fundamentals in the second set.

“I was trying to get people to pick up their energy and get more excited, but it was obviously draining,” Vanbuskirk said.

Vanbuskirk and Haggerty said the team goal for the season was to place in the top third at state.

While Haggerty said the final loss against BVW was disappointing, she enjoyed watching the team prove themselves throughout the tournament.

“I think we surprised a lot of people, which is always fun,” Haggerty said, “and I don’t mind being in that underdog position…we [beat] some good teams, and I’m proud of how we fought.”

With the season being over, Vanbuskirk said the incoming team will need to keep the results of this championship in mind as motivation for the future.

“Just let this register in the back of their minds and be angry about it and want to fight even harder next time and prepare even harder for next year,” Vanbuskirk said.

*Team records indicate standings going into the play pool matches Friday.