HAYS – It took five sets for the TMP-Marian Monarchs and the Goodland Cowgirls to determine a winner Tuesday night in the first round of the 3A state volleyball tournament at Al Billinger Fieldhouse in Hays. But it was Goodland who came away with the victory winning 25-23, 20-25, 25-20, 15-25 and 16-14.
TMP coach Natausha Dreher
In the first set of the night the two teams traded rallies before Goodland was able to build a 16-10 lead. Only to see TMP scored six of the next seven points and tie the match at 17. Goodland answered with four of the next five points and hold off a late TMP rally to win 25-23.
Emily Lane had six kills in the first set for TMP.
In the second set, TMP scored the first six points of the match and built leads of 11-6 and 16-10. Goodland was never really able to close gap as TMP went on to win set number two 25-17.
TMP ran out to an early 4-2 lead but with the set tied at four Goodland outscored TMP 13-4 to build a 17-10 lead. TMP was able to close the gap to two at 18-16 but Goodland went on to the 25-20 win.
The fourth set was very similar to the second set. TMP, facing elimination outscored Goodland 14-6 to open the set. Lane had five kills for the Monarchs in the first 14 points. She finished with seven in the set. TMP won the fourth set 25-15.
With the match tied at two games apiece, the match went to the fifth and final set and Goodland would come away with the 16-14 win.
Goodland opened the set leading 8-3 but TMP clawed their way back into it and took a 9-8 lead. The game was tied at 10 before Goodland faced a set and match point at 14-11 but Goodland committed error and Lane recorded a pair of kills tying the set at 14. But Goodland got a point on a hit that went out of bounds and Lane couldn’t handle a ball at the end that resulted in the Goodland 16-14 win.
Lane recorded 24 kills in the match for TMP.
The Monarchs finish the season at 30-8.
Goodland advances to the pool play portion of the state tournament Saturday in Hutchinson.