Hillsboro wins third straight state volleyball title

Different class. Different location. Same result.
The Hillsboro High School volleyball team won its third consecutive state title Saturday afternoon with a two-set sweep of Smith Center in the semifinals, then a two-set rematch sweep of Jefferson County North in the finals at White Civic Auditorium in Emporia.
Coming into the tournament with two consecutive 3A titles and a No. 1 state ranking in 2A, the Trojans lived up to privilege and challenge of being the tournament favorite by claiming its first 2A championship.
Hillsboro trailed early in the first set of its semifinals match with Smith Center, before taking a lead at 18-17 on a kill by Addie Lackey. The set was tied again at 21-21 before Lackey delivered another kill off a Smith Center block attempt. The Trojans finally nailed down the 25-22 win on a kill by Alex Ratzlaff.
The Trojans had an easier time in the second set, posting a 25-17 win to secure a berth in the finals. Midway through, the Redmen took an 11-10 lead, and still led 14-13 before the?Trojans reeled off nine straight points starting with a kill by Ratzlaff, then an 8-0 serving run by Maddi Duerksen to cruise to the win.
In the finals, the Trojans faced their Friday pool-play opponent, Jefferson County North. It was a close match at the start, but Hillsboro finally began to separate from the Chargers when Ratzlaff stepped in to serve at 18-18. The sophomore then served for the next six points to put the Trojans on the brink of victory at 24-19.? Lackey put the set away with a kill for a 25-19 triumph.
Though momentum clearly was in Hillsboro favor after winning the first set, the Chargers kept pace in the early going of Set 2. With Hillsboro leading 15-12 after a Charger service error, Ratzlaff stepped in to serve and bumped the lead to 17-12 with an ace serve and a nice save that led to a second point.
After JNC scored, Lakyn Johnson served the Trojans into a 21-13 lead to put the state title within grasp. From there, Hillsboro completed its mission with a 25-17 victory — then had to wait nearly a half hour to receive its plaque and medals while the third-place game went a full three sets before Bucklin finally defeated Smith Center.
Hillsboro?s 2013 championship season ends with a school-best 43-1 record.