The Bearcat volleyball team finished their season with an even 18-18 record after battling through their final week of play.

Sub-State Oct. 21

On the last day of the season, Ellsworth competed in the sub-state tournament in Halstead Oct. 21. Ranked as the fifth seed, the Cats took on the No. 4 seed Hesston.

From the start, the team struggled to get anything going on offense.

Hesston took a commanding win in the first set, 25-12.

Knowing that they were much better than the score of the first set showed, Ellsworth kept close with the Swathers throughout most of the second. However, without the ability to get things to work offensively, the Cats were unable to stick with them until the end.

Hesston took the win in the second set, 25-19.

The loss to the Swathers ended the season for the Bearcats.

“Sub-state really didn’t show how much we improved throughout the year, but we did make strides and were able to compete with excellent teams,” Head Coach Amy Johnson said.

Ell-Saline Oct. 17

On senior night Oct.

17, the Cats took a dominating win over Ell-Saline, their second victory over the Cardinals this season.

After celebrating the eight seniors on the team, banners were awarded to two members of the team for milestone statistics throughout their career.

Senior Kylan Turnipseed was credited with her 2,000th career assist. She received her 1,000th just last year. Senior Peyton Coonrod was also recognized for her 1,000th career dig.

Rather than an ordinary best two-out-ofthree match, the night was structured in a best three-out-of-five style.

The Bearcats jumped out on the court ready to win. However, the Cardinals were able to stay close throughout the entirety of the first set.

The Cats pulled through and won 25-22, but knew they needed to bring more.

Ready to take an even bigger lead, Ellsworth jumped out in the second set and kept the lead from the start. They won the second set 25-18. In order to finish the match, they needed to win just one more set. The Cats dominated the third and final set, winning 25-15 and sealing the Bearcat victory.

Sophomore Kelli Rodriguez led with four aces. Turnipseed had 32 assists, and sophomore Alexis Moore dominated with 17 kills and five stuff blocks.

Throughout the final year of their high school careers, the seniors reflected on the memories made throughout the season and the biggest lessons they had learned along the way.

“This season, I learned to never give up and to have fun in what you are doing,” Turnipseed said.

“We had a lot of fun memories together this season, especially beating a couple state-ranked teams.”

“The biggest lesson I’ve learned through my volleyball career is that in life (and volleyball), you will face challenges that seem impossible to overcome,” Jo Lindsley said. “Don’t stop trying just because it feels like all odds are against you. Keep pushing yourself and working hard. If you are determined enough, you will make it.

“Also, it taught me to build a support group that has similar, or the same, goals as me. It’s also much easier to work together to reach those achievements than to be on your own.”

“My favorite memories are all the bus rides and the team bonding activities,” senior Lexi West said. RESOLUTION NO. 4-2023 RESOLUTION NO. 4-2023 “I also won’t forget the connections I made with my friends.”

Graduating eight seniors from the team leaves a fresh young group to pave the way for next season.

Sophomore Elyse Haxton is looking hopefully to the future.

“I think this season showed me how I need to tracts, to wit: be a person that everyone can look to and to make a positive impact,” Haxton said. “I am going to have to step up considering we will be losing some big pieces. I will just continue to always bring my best effort forth and just enjoy every part of the volleyball journey God has in place for me.”

Throughout one volleyball season, the members of the team were able to connect with one another, not just on the court, but by building relationships off the court as well. The team remembers this season as one with many impactful learning opportunities and one with great support from one another through all the ups and downs.