Pratt teams look to build from T-Bird tourney

The 35^th annual T-Bird Invitational delivered quality volleyball from many area teams, with a pair of state-ranked teams battling it out in the championship game.

No. 2 St. John (8-0) won the tournament in a hard fought match, winning 25-23 and 25-18 in the final against No. 4 Skyline (8-2). Pratt High took third place, beating Medicine Lodge 25-20 and 25-17.

Overall, both local coaches were pleased with their team’s efforts.

“Against St. John the wheels just feel off,” said Skyline coach Summer Younie. “We couldn't buy a serve, we couldn't cover the floor, serve receive was ugly, we just kinda fell apart.  But they never gave up.  We were down 24 -12 and the girls really played hard to the end.”

Pratt coach Dean Rausch was glad his team put together a complete effort in the final match of the day.

“By the last match with the Medicine Lodge Indians the Greenbacks were hitting on all cylinders,” he said. “I saw a lot of improvement as well as many areas that can help us to do even better.”

Skyline struggled serving the ball during the pool play portion of the tournament, which Younie attributed to a lack of focus.

“I think we were just losing focus when we got back to the line to serve,” Younie said. “Against Pratt our serving was much better and that plus our serve receive allowed us to stay in the game and win.”

Coach Rausch was just happy to see his team come out and compete, even with inexperience factoring in to the outcome of the matches.

“Improvement in the team was steady throughout the day but some of the inconsistencies that come with youth showed up against the experienced Thunderbird and Tiger teams,” he said. “We have a little time now to get some injured kids healthy and get ready to open league play.  Practices will center around the most urgent areas first – more offense and communication.”

Skyline played a match with Hutch Central Christian and Burrton Tuesday night and will take the court again next Tuesday at Medicine Lodge. Pratt High will open league play next Tuesday at Smoky Valley.

Results:

Skyline – Pool Play

def. Stafford 25-16, 25-8 – Kaitlyn Swonger led the team with four kills. Tia Gilleece, Morgan Flowers and Ashton Lee each had three. All four players each had two aces.

def. Medicine Lodge 25-16, 25-10 – Leah McPherson led with seven kills, while Gilleece had five. Swonger had four kills and five blocks.

def. Pawnee Heights 25-9, 25-6 – Swonger led with four aces and three kills. Flowers also had three kills, with Gilleece and Whitney Renner adding two kills each.

Skyline – Championship Bracket

def. Pratt High 25-23, 25-20 – Gilleece led with six kills with McPherson adding five. Swonger, Lee and Harley Weaver each had two aces.

St. John def. Skyline 25-23 and 25-18 – Lee led the team with eight kills, with Gilleece adding six. Gilleece and Swonger each had two blocks.

Pratt High – Pool Play

St. John def. Pratt High 25-8, 18-25, 25-14 – Aubrey Hoover and Payton Hoeme each had 10 kills. Emma McNay led the team with two aces. Andi Gripe had six digs on defense.

def. Pretty Prairie 25-11, 25-10 –  Hoover had 11 kills, with McNay logging 10 assists. Taylor Ibarra led the way serving the ball with six aces.

def. Hodgeman Co. 25-23, 20-25, 25-23 – Hoover logged 20 kills, with Payton Hoeme adding 13. McNay and Jaci Kolm led the team with 16 and 14 assists, respectively. Payton Hoeme had six blocks, while Hoover and Rystal Hoeme added three.

Pratt High – Championship Bracket

Skyline def. Pratt High 25-23, 25-20 – Hoover led the way with 15 of Pratt’s 18 kills. McNay had seven assists while Jensen Maydew added five.

def. Medicine Lodge 25-20, 25-17 – Hoover had 11 kills and seven blocks. McNay and Ibarra each logged a pair of ace serves.