Graphic courtesy of Blue Dragon Sports Information
By John Mesh
Hutchinson Trinity Catholic High School’s Mattie Galliher, a 5-foot-11 middle blocker, signed a letter of intent Wednesday afternoon to play volleyball at Hutchinson Community College.
Galliher played volleyball for Celtic coaches Lauren Cost and Jan Frieb. She also played volleyball for the Salt City Crush and The Shockwave Volleyball Academy.
“I am extremely excited for Mattie Galliher and her future at Hutchinson Community College,” said Hutchinson Trinity volleyball coach Lauren Cost. “She has been an important part of Trinity volleyball for four years.
“She was a major contributor for us taking on both front row and back row responsibilities, not all players can handle that, but she accepted what we needed and did her job well. As a coach I feel blessed that I had an opportunity to coach her and help her reach her goals.
“I’m eager to watch her continue to develop and grow as a player and young woman at Hutchinson Community College.”
Galliher’s senior season statistics included 39 aces, 185 kills, 62 blocks (including solo and assists) and 169 digs.
Galliher plays softball during the spring for the Celtics and played basketball for three seasons.
Galliher is one of the first signings for new Blue Dragons’ volleyball coach Dayana Acevedo Trent, who took the position on Jan. 9.
Acevedo Trent, who played college volleyball at Iowa Western and the University of Texas-El Paso, was the head coach at Odessa College in Texas.
She posted a 98-29 record in four seasons, including a 15-7 record in the Region 5 Tournament (including two championships and two NJCAA Tournament appearances).
Acevedo Trent also served as an assistant coach at Iowa Western Community College.
Hutchinson Central Christian girls advance to 1A sub-state finals
The Hutchinson Central Christian girls basketball advanced to the finals of Kansas Class 1A Division II Elyria Christian Sub-State #2 with a 59-47 victory over Melvern-Marais des Cygnes Valley Saturday night at the Central Christian gymnasium in Hutchinson.
The Cougars, who received a first-round bye, improved to 16-4 and will play Lebo (19-1) in the championship game Friday night at the Central Christian College gymnasium in McPherson. Game time is yet to be determined.
Lebo defeated Waverly 51-26 Saturday night at the Lebo High School gymnasium.
In the Kansas Class 1A Division II Sub-State #1 finals Friday, South Haven (18-1) will play Hartford (14-5).
South Haven received a first-round bye and defeated McPherson-Elyria Christian 56-29 in the semifinals. Hartford received a first-round bye and defeated St. Paul 45-33 in the semifinals.
The sub-state winners advance to the Class 1A DII state tournament at the Colby Events Center.
Inman girls to play Berean Academy in sub-state semifinals
In the Class 2A Girls Moundridge Sub-State Friday night, the Inman Teutons defeated Sedgwick 62-18 and will play Berean Academy in the semifinals at Inman Wednesday.
Suttyn Harris led the Teutons (17-3) with 14 points. Katie Nichols added 11, Maddie Parsons 9 and Ellie Thimmesch 8.
Logan Budde scored 10 of Sedgwick’s 18 points.
Berean Academy (15-6) defeated Wichita Central Christian Academy 38-33 Friday at Elbing.
Hutchinson Trinity Catholic lost at Bennington 55-19. Hutchinson Trinity’s girls finished the season with a 2-19 record.
Bennington (18-3) will host Classical School of Wichita (12-9) in the other semifinal at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Wichita Classical defeated Marion 43-35 in a first-round game.
Reno County Sabres JV boys, varsity girls place 2nd at KBCA Tournament
The Reno County Sabres junior varsity boys and varsity girls basketball teams played in championship games Saturday at the Kansas Christian Basketball Association State Tournament in McPherson.
Both were tight games but the Sabres fell in both games and brought home second place in both divisions.
Reno County’s Anne Schawe and Megan Asberry were both 1st team on the Girls All-Tournament Team Auna Walton was named 2nd team and Bella Spexarth honorable mention on the girls side.
Wyatt Kingsley made 1st team Boys All-Tournament team. Ryan Cass, Andrew Keller and Emmitt Miller all were honorable mention selections.
The Sabres teams will wrap up the season at the NDII tournament next Friday and Saturday in Salina.