Centralia Panthers Volleyball Team

Fresh off a second place finish at state last season in Class 1A-Division I the Panthers returned a great amount of the team this season and looked prime to yet again have another great year.

Behind the leadership of seven seniors and a quite experienced coach the Panthers have propelled themselves to a 33-4 record this season and multiple top two finishes at regular season tournaments. Most recently Centralia hit the court for Twin Valley League action for the league tournament and came out on top with a 5-0 day taking down another top team in the state Baileyville-B&B twice on the day to win the TVL tournament crown.

Panthers have roared through the competition this season notching a second place finish in the Wamego Invite to start the season and second in the Silver Lake Invite, also. Centralia spikers wouldn't settle for second places as they registered a first place finish in the Hiawatha Invitational, taking down B&B in the championship.

Lead by experience the Panthers have only registered four losses this season and three of those losses came against a currently KVA ranked team or a team that was ranked at a point this season.

Leading the way this season is seven seniors, three juniors and two sophomores. Kindal Deters, Katelyn Holthaus, Sheridan Hanzlik, Jessica Olberding, Shelby Osterhaus, Emily McNally and Emily Schmitz all as seniors help provide leadership for the squad and experience. Juniors, Riley Hanzlik, Kaitlyn Koch and Blair Burdiek play integral parts to the Panthers success. Also, you can't under estimate the play of sophomores, Katy Haulfer and Liz Hasenkamp.

Coach, Tennal says its truly a team effort for the Panthers this season and they rely on everyone ton contribute and the Panthers spikers have contributed to a great season thus far that looks to continue with another trip to state and a state title on their mind.

Panthers take their current 11 match winning streak to sub-state action this Saturday in Blue Rapids to try and punch their ticket to Hays and the state tourney.