LINDSBORG, Kan. – Fall sports are starting to wind down for Smoky Valley in 2025. The girls tennis team finished their season this past weekend, while it’s been a busy last couple weeks for the other fall sports.
FOOTBALL
Smoky Valley has had tough outings in their past two games, falling to Hesston 51-0 and Andale 68-0 in district contests. They are now 2-4 on the season and 0-3 in 3A District 6 with a big game coming up Friday night against Nickerson. A win would put them on the 3A postseason bracket in Week 9.
VOLLEYBALL
Smoky Valley has been busy on the volleyball court in the month of October. They opened with losses to Chapman (26-24, 25-21) and Nickerson (25-22, 22-25, 25-16) at a home triangular on October 2nd. Following that, they finished 1-4 at the Belle Plaine Tournament on October 4th. They fell to Mulvane (14-25, 25-20, 25-13), Chaparral (25-20, 25-19), Central Christian Academy (20-25, 25-14, 25-12) and Moundridge (28-26, 25-15), but picked up a win over Belle Plaine (25-21, 25-17).
This past week, the Vikings went 2-2. They split at the Haven triangular on Tuesday, October 7th, beating the host Wildcats 25-19, 25-21, but falling to Hillsboro in a tight two-set match 25-22, 25-23. They then traveled to Clay Center for a triangular and split with Central Plains and Clay Center. The Vikings beat the Oilers 27-25, 25-13, but fell to the Tigers 25-16, 25-18.
Smoky Valley has already been on the court this week as well, traveling to the Halstead Triangular on Monday. They went 0-2 with losses to Halstead (25-11, 25-10) and Southeast of Saline (25-20, 21-25, 25-19). The Vikings are now 12-23 for the season as they now prepare for 3A regional action.
CROSS COUNTRY
Smoky Valley cross country competed at the Halstead Invitational on October 2nd. Hope Willems continued a strong season with a tenth-place finish at 22:00.04 on the 5K course. Sophia Eyer took 15th at 22:41.35. In the boys 5K, Kaden Bishop was the top finisher in 24th with a time of 18:55.05.
On October 7th, the Vikings were at the Ellsworth Invitational. The girls team took home first place with 50 points ahead of second place Chapman with 58. Willems led the charge again, finishing in fourth place with a time of 21:39.47. Eyer took 12th at 23:03.16. Isaiah Ayala had the top boys time for the Vikings, finishing in 17th with a mark of 19:48.54.
Next up for the Smoky Valley runners will be the Central Kansas League meet in Halstead this Thursday, October 16th at 4:00 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
The Viking tennis team finished their regular season with the Central Kansas League meet on October 4. Smoky Valley took fourth place in three divisions, including Kaitlyn Leis in #1 Singles, Zora Carver & Addison Rojas in #1 Doubles and Noelle Crouch & Layla Fleming in #2 Doubles.
The Vikings then had a six-day layoff as they prepared for the 3-2-1A Regional Tournament in Lyons on October 10th and 11th. Unfortunately, Smoky Valley was not able to move any players through to the 3-2-1A State Tournament. Kaitlyn Leis came just one match short of qualifying for state, falling to Charlee Schlessiger of Central Plains in a three-set heartbreaker, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6. Also in doubles, Zora Carver and Addison Rojas were just one win away from state as they fell to Boston Robison and Avery Siemsen of Central Plains in straight sets (6-2, 6-2). Noelle Crouch & Layla Fleming picked up a first round win, but lost in the second round in doubles, while Gabriela Ayala fell in the first round in singles.
