Oct 28, 2020

🏐 Victoria falls in state quarterfinals

Posted Oct 28, 2020 2:26 AM

CLAFLIN - The Victoria volleyball team had won two of their three meetings with Central Prairie League rival Central Plains entering their 1A Division I state quarterfinal match Tuesday, but the Oilers won the match that mattered, defeating Knights 25-23, 25-17, 23-25, 25-10 to advance to pool play at the state tournament.

The defending 1A state champion Oilers (28-11) led most of the way, but by never more than three, in a back-and-forth first set.

The Knights (26-6) jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the second set but Central Plains scored four straight to take the lead for good. Leading 5-4, they scored six straight to push their advantage to 11-4. Victoria would pull within two on several occasions before the Oilers scored seven of the last eight points to grab a 2-0 lead.

Victoria again raced out to a quick start in the third set, building a 4-1 lead. The Knights found themselves down 16-12 when they would put together an 8-2 run to go up 20-18. The Oilers scored four of the next five points to take the lead back at 22-21. Victoria would score four of the final five points to close out the match.

The fourth set was tied 6-6 when Central Plains took control by scoring the next six points. It was the start of a 18-2 run to blow the match open.

St. John-Hudson and Lebo also locked up spots to the semifinals Saturday at United Wireless Arena in Dodge City. St. John -Hudson defeated Kiowa County 25-18, 25-13, 25-17 and Lebo knocked off Centralia 22-25, 25-22, 25-20, 9-25, 15-9.

Pratt-Skyline had their match at Rosalia-Flinthills postponed to Wednesday due to poor travel conditions.