By JEREMY McGUIRE
Hays Post

HAYS – The 2019 Hays High Lady Indian Volleyball team started their new season in solid form with a 2nd place finish at the inaugural Maroon and Gold Invitational in Hays. The Lady Indians finished 3-2 on the day with their only two losses coming at the hands of Olathe West.

Hays started the day with a 25-23, 27-25 win over Wheatland. Tasiah Nunnery led the way with eight kills and 11 assists. Brooke Denning and Brooklyn Schaffer finished the match with 10 digs each. Next up was a tough 19-25, 19-25 loss to eventual champion Olathe Wes. Schaffer had eight more digs while Nunnery and Carly Lange led the charge with four kills.

The Lady Indians would not have it easy the next two matches. The first was a 25-21, 21-25, 25-16 three set win over Scott City. Nunnery paced the team with 17 kills, Kyah Summers 17 assists and Schaffer had 11 digs. Next was a close 25-22, 25-20 victory of Salina South. Nunnery had 14 kills and 10 assists and Schaffer 12 digs.

That win pushed the Lady Indians to the championship match where the long day of play showed with some tired legs for the host team. Hays lost a lop-sided tilt to Olathe West 15-25, 10-25. Nunnery and Schaffer were both named to the all tournament team with Nunnery being named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

TMP-Marian went 2-3 and finished third. The Monarchs went 1-2 and finished second in their pool. After beating Bucklin (25-17, 25-17) the Monarchs lost to Salina South (17-25, 25-18, 17,25) and Colby (29-31, 25-15, 19-25). In the semifinals they lost to Olathe West (24-26, 14-25) but bounced back to beat Salina South (25-19, 25-18) in the third place match.

Hays High is now off until September 12th when they travel to Dodge City.

The Monarchs host Ellis and Stockton Tuesday.