The 'Eagle Times' Student Newspaper: Sports

The volleyball team was crowned 3A State Champions. Silver Lake clinched state honors in both 2003 and 2004. (Photo by Jessica Stadler)

Volleyball team crowned 3A state champions

Two freshman runners also compete at state

By Jill Lira

November 12, 2006

For Silver Lake to define success from an athlete's perspective, the team would have to seize state. Throughout the years, Silver Lake has accomplished several feats, pummeled numerous teams and exceeded expectations to come home with the state title. This year, the volleyball team's first place finish at state confirmed the community's beliefs. Only, it doesn't stop there. This year's cross country team qualified two freshmen to state, one of whom medaled, the other one just a few seconds away from medaling.

The varsity volleyball team boasted a 21-9 record before entering the sub-state tournament. After last year's defeat by Rossville in the sub-state championship match, the team set their "vision" this year to compete at state.

At the 2006 sub-state tournament in Seneca-Nemaha Valley, Silver Lake entered the tournament as the number one seed. They won the first match against Maur Hill, 25-13, 25-10. The next match pitted the Lady Eagles against Rossville. Earlier in the season, SL went split matches with Rossville. However, the fate of the game during sub-state was antipodal to the first. The Lady Eagles won 25-10 and 25-18.

After the impressive vanquish by SL, they were then set to dominate Rock Creek. The same scene was played out. SL and Rock Creek split the matches during regular season, but this time the Lady Eagles prevailed winning 25-21 and 29-27. The ladies were then headed to Salina to compete in the state tournament.

The volleyball girls received much support from the community during the regular season. (Photo by Jessica Stadler)

On Friday, Oct. 27, the state tournament began with SL listed as the seventh seed. The first match was against the number two seed, Hillsboro. SL steadily rose to win their first match 25-21 and 25-23. In the second match, the Lady Eagles were set to defeat Sacred Heart. Unfortunately, they fell in a three game match with scores 27-25, 22-25 and 20-25.

After this loss, the Lady Eagles had to win the last match to continue in the competition. They defeated Cheney 26-24, 21-25 and 25-19. Even though SL had lost a match, according to the win-loss percentage, Sacred Heart was eliminated and SL was determined the pool champion due to the head-to-head win over Hillsboro.

Saturday the Lady Eagles were scheduled to play Osage City in the first semi-final match. They dominated the match, winning 25-9 and 25-19. This moved the Lady Eagles into the championship match against Wellsville (fifth seed). The Lady Eagles took the match to three games winning 25-21, losing 18-25 then overcoming their opponents 25-23 with a total of 14 ties throughout the game. Silver Lake was then named the 2006 3A State Champions.

Four of the team members were named to the KVA State All-Tournament Team: juniors Whitney Gillman, who had 47 digs throughout the day; Jordan Lockwood, who had 50 kills and 11 blocks; Amanda Pfannenstiel who contributed 96 assists, 21 kills and 34 digs; and Sara Wetzel with 46 kills and 41 digs.

Lockwood commented on being named an All-Tournament team member.

"As anyone would say, it was definitely an honor to be named a member of the All-Tournament team. After our regular season ended, I don't think many people expected us to go further in the competition. Fortunately, we did turn it around, play our best and surprise everyone even though we knew we had it in us all along," Lockwood stated.

Also on Saturday Oct. 28, freshmen Jerod Barker and Peter Ruby made the trip to the Wamego Country Club to participate in their first state competition. Barker and Ruby were the first freshmen to finish the race. The next closest freshman was 12 spots behind. Barker placed 20^th, the last medaling position, and Ruby was literally two seconds behind him.

The first two freshmen to cross the finish line at state competition were from Silver Lake. (Photo by Rachel Cross)

For the duration of the season, Barker medaled a total of eight times, finishing in the top five at least six times.

According to Barker, his expectations for state were high but the results definitely exceeded his goals.

"Being the first freshman to finish in the race was a good feeling. I had expected to run my personal best but I did not expect to medal. However, it was a good surprise," Barker stated.

Ruby also had quite the season, medaling five times. Ruby explained his excitement about attending state and the results.

"I had no expectations going into state. I was very happy with coming out 21st," said Ruby.