Centralia def. Wichita-Central Christian Academy 27-25, 25-16

The beginning of the opening set was back and forth with Central Christian Academy leading most of the way but Centralia hanging around got their first 2-point lead at 22-20 to force the first timeout. Neither team led by more than two up to that point. Centralia got a point out of the break to go up by three, by CCA got their first three-point streak of the match to tie right back up 23-23. Centralia got the pivotal point to have set point at 24-23, but CCA would get back-to-back points to force a set point of their own. Out of their final timeout, the Panthers came out strong with back-to-back points of their own to get their second set point, and they finished off the Lions immediately after to win the highly contested first set 27-25.

Centralia started the second set with a 3-0 lead which was then countered by a five-point run for CCA. The Panthers remained calm and rattled off four straight points to give Centralia a 10-6 lead. They also had another stretch of three straight to make it 13-7. From that point, the Panthers were able to CCA at arm’s length from anywhere from a four-point to six-point lead, until the very end when Centralia was able to put the Lions away 25-16.

Centralia def. Rawlins County 25-20, 25-23

The first set had a fair share of runs. It started with a 3-0 Rawlins County lead followed by four straight for the Panthers. The Lady Buffs won two of the next three to go up 6-4, but it was a stretch of Centralia winning 12 of the next 16 points to go up 16-8. Rawlins County wouldn’t give up, though, as they won seven of the next eight points making it 17-15 Centralia lead. However, the Panthers were able to grow their lead and win the set 25-20.

The Lady Buffs started out hot in the second set scoring the first six points and eight of the first ten. Centralia rallied to make it 14-13, but Rawlins County would get another rally to go up 20-14. Things seemed bleak for the Panthers, but they refused to quit. They would score eight of the next ten to get back within two at 22-20. After Rawlins County scored the next point, Centralia improbably scored the next five points to win the set 25-23 and the match.

South Gray def. Centralia 24-26, 25-23, 25-16

South Gray scored the first four points of the match with Centralia scoring the next six. From there, Centralia had anywhere from a 1-3 point lead, until South Gray scored four straight to go up 18-15 forcing Centralia to call a timeout. Out of the break, Centralia scored five of the next six points to go up 20-19 which led to South Gray expending their first timeout. The Panthers would get a 23-21 lead, but South Gray got the next three to make it 24-23 to get a set point opportunity. However, for the third time with their backs against the wall, Centralia rallied with three straight points to win the set 26-24.

Major runs for both teams defined the start of the second set with a quick 11-3 South Gray lead, which was followed by a 12-point run for Centralia to go up 15-11. The Rebels bounced back with three more to make it 15-14. From there on, it was back and forth, but it was a late charge by the Rebels that gave them a 25-23 set victory with Centralia unable to make another one of their comebacks.

Once again, it was a quick start for the Rebels going up 4-1 which grew to 11-4. Centralia fought with all their might to get back to a four-point deficit, but that was the closest it would be the rest of the way with South Gray winning the final set 25-16.

Centralia makes the semifinal round on Saturday as the 2-seed from Pool 1. They will play the 1-seed from Pool 2, which is the reigning state champions Little River. First serve from Dodge City will be tomorrow at 9 a.m. You can listen to it on 92.1 FM KMZA.