LINDSBORG, Kan. – It was a slow week to start the 2025-26 high school sports season for the Smoky Valley Vikings. The girls tennis and volleyball teams each opened their season at Hesston during the final week of August. The highlight saw the volleyball team take fifth place at the CKL Preseason Tournament on Saturday.
VOLLEYBALL
The Vikings opened the 2025 season against CKL opponents on Saturday in Hesston. Playing in Pool B, they went 1-1, beating Larned in two sets, 25-15, 25-14 and falling to Halstead in straight sets, 25-20, 25-20.
The win in the pool was good enough to place the Vikings in bracket play. They fell in the quarterfinals to Hillsboro 25-17, 25-12, but recovered in the 5th Place match to beat Nickerson 25-19, 25-20.
Starting the season 2-2, Smoky Valley will be on the court next on Thursday, September 4 at the Abilene Quad. Along with Abilene, they will face Rock Creek and TMP-Marian.
GIRLS TENNIS
The Vikings were on the court to open the 2025 season at the Hesston Invitational on Thursday, August 28. As a team, they finished tied for sixth amongst the eight teams that competed. Junior Zora Carver had the top finish, taking fourth place in #2 Singles. She won her opening match 8-2 over Lily Benton of Abilene before falling to Ella Gillespie of Buhler and Laine Widener of Hesston in the third place match. In #1 Singles, Katelyn Lies started the day 0-2, but finished strong with an 8-1 win over Maddy Murnahan of Abilene to finish in 7th Place. In #2 Doubles, Addison Riojas and Kiera Showalter finished in 6th Place, picking up an 8-4 win in the consolation quarterfinals over Lady & Dannefer of Abilene. Noelle Crouch and Layla Flemming competed in #1 Doubles for the Vikings as well.
With their first tournament in the books, the Viking tennis team will be back on the courts Tuesday afternoon at the Ellsworth Invitational.
