LINDSBORG, Kan. – The past week was another very busy one for Smoky Valley athletics. The Vikings saw success in many realms as the football team erupted on offense in a big win and the volleyball team played seven matches and has already been on the court this week. The cross country and girls tennis teams also continued to perform well.
FOOTBALL
After a low-scoring defensive battle in week one, Smoky Valley got the offense going in week two with a 48-18 win on the road at Belle Plaine. You can read the full story here: Vikings Move to 2-0 with Rout of Belle Plaine.
VOLLEYBALL
The Viking volleyball squad has been very busy, playing nine matches over the past seven days. Last Tuesday, September 9, Smoky Valley traveled to Hays for a triangular, falling to the host school Indians 25-17, 25-17. They lost a tough battle to Nickerson 25-20, 25-23 as well.
On Saturday, the Vikings competed at the Southeast of Saline Invitational. They came out of a tough pool at 2-1 with wins over Circle (27-25, 25-20) and Concordia (25-19, 25-19) and a loss to Beloit (25-11, 25-21) which finished the weekend 5-0 as tournament champs. The 2-1 record was good enough to qualify for the championship semis, where Smoky Valley fell to fellow CKL foe Hillsboro 25-12, 25-12. They did bounce back for a third place finish with a straight set win over Salina South 25-23, 25-22.
The Vikings hosted a triangular on Monday in Lindsborg. They won over Sterling in straight sets 25-18, 25-15 and fell to a stacked Ellinwood team 25-11, 25-12. The Eagles are now 13-0 on the season.
Smoky Valley sits at 7-9 against great competition so far this season. They have a CKL triangular at Pratt on Tuesday as Nickerson will also attend.
CROSS COUNTRY
The Viking cross country teams headed south to the Hesston Invitational this past Thursday. The event is broken down by grade and class. Smoky Valley competed in the 3-2-1A division and their top individual finishers were Hope Willems and Ella Chaput. Willems took second in the Girls Senior 5K with a time of 21:38.20 and Chaput was second in the Freshman division with a time of 24:25.10. In the Sophomore girls race, Leyton Rausch finished fourth at 22:53.00. Also of note, Gracia Peterson finished 16th in the Senior girls race, Sophie Eyer and Emma Chaput were 12th and 13th, respectively in the Junior girls race and Kennedy Hecker took 20th in the Freshman girls 5K. The top boys finisher was Levi Spears, ending in 20th place in the Freshman race.
Smoky Valley will be back on the course this Thursday for the Clay Center Invitational.
GIRLS TENNIS
The Smoky Valley tennis team had two events this past week.
On Thursday, September 11, they hosted their home invitational, finishing in 5th Place as a team. In the Singles bracket, Kaitlyn Leis had another solid day, finished 4th Place with a 2-2 record. In doubles, Noelle Crouch and Layla Fleming lost their opening match, but reeled off three straights win to finish 3-1 and 9th Place.
The Vikings followed that up with a trip to Hesston on Saturday for another loaded tournament. Leis had another 2-2, finishing in 7th Place in Singles. In Doubles, Crouch and Fleming went 2-2 and finished in 9th Place, while Addison Rojas and Zora Carver went 2-2 and finished 11th.
Smoky Valley will compete again this week as they are at the Ellsworth Invitational on Thursday afternoon at 1:00.
