State Line Tidbits: State Champions Crowned

Both sides of the state line have now completed their respective state tournaments. Kansas took care of business last weekend, followed by Missouri over the past few days. We will get more into the weeds this week but I wanted to touch on the high-level stories from the state championships.   Kansas   I joked on Twitter how I need to retire from the prediction business as I didn't pick hardly any right this year. I would have only gotten 3A right if I had finished my preview in time, but if you've followed me all year you knew I was picking Heritage Christian.   In Class 6A, I did pick the correct four teams to make it to the final four but in the wrong places. In the end, Mill Valley capped off a tremendous year capturing the title in a sweep of Blue Valley North. A fun fact, Mill Valley coach Kylie Corneliusen at 26 years of age became the youngest coach in 6A history to win a state title. [player_tooltip player_id='493515' first='Ashlyn' last='Blazer'], [player_tooltip player_id='152830' first='Kaitlyn' last='Burke'], and [player_tooltip player_id='153938' first='Saida' last='Jacobs'] were all named to the state all-tournament team.   The biggest surprise to come out of the state tournament was the rise of Topeka Seaman. I wasn't surprised they made their way to the final four, as I did pick them. I only got two of four right in this class. What I didn't have on my bingo card was them sweeping the defending state champions. They didn't drop a set over the two days and the 22 points given up in the final match was the third time a team touched 20 the whole tournament. [player_tooltip player_id='119804' first='Brooklyn' last='Gormley'] was named to the all-tournament team and joined by teammates [player_tooltip player_id='173373' first='Reagan' last='McGivern'] and [player_tooltip player_id='173374' first='Maegan' last='Mills'], who both return next year.   In 4A, I went against my traditional feel and went away from Miege. As long as they continue to play a tough schedule, they will be in the mix for a state title. I felt good about my pick early in the day when the team I picked, Clearwater defeated Bishop Miege in their opening matches. The Stags won their remaining matches while Clearwater lost both. Once they got to the semifinals, it was smooth sailing for the defending state champions as they made easy work of Louisburg and McPherson. [player_tooltip player_id='173376' first='Lauren' last='Lopez'] returned to the all-tournament team, joined by [player_tooltip player_id='119689' first='Ava' last='Martin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='493386' first='Kirston' last='Verhulst'].   I was consistent all season on Heritage Christian being my 3A pick. Their schedule and returning roster made it a no-brainer. They worked their way into my Kansas City top 5, which is no easy chore. The thing I didn't see happening was them dropping a match. They were beaten by Beloit in the last match of pool play, which created drama that I will touch on this week. After their cruise control was deactivated, they won their next two matches to win another state title, giving up 17 points in three of the four sets, and 9 in the other. [player_tooltip player_id='119704' first='Cy' last='Rae Campbell'], Anna Schenk, [player_tooltip player_id='261106' first='Grace' last='Schmedding'], and [player_tooltip player_id='119708' first='Rachel' last='Van Gorp'] loaded up the all-tournament team.   Hillsboro completed a phenomenal season with a title in Class 2A with [player_tooltip player_id='342345' first='Savannah' last='Shahan'], [player_tooltip player_id='480398' first='Amyah' last='Werth'], and sister [player_tooltip player_id='119710' first='Zaylee' last='Werth'] making the all-tournament team. Little River wins Class 1A D1 and Lebo Class 1A D2.   Missouri   In the top class, Lafayette and Kickapoo faced off in the semifinal. This was a rematch of last year's state championship match that went four sets. Lafayette only needed three this year to advance to the finals. They only needed three there also as they defended their state title in a sweep of Francis Howell. I will have more on this later in the week.   Last year, Incarnate Word Academy saw their state title hopes wiped out by Westminster Christian in four sets. After defeating St. Michael the Archangel in four sets in the semifinals, they made sure to leave little doubt by beating St. Pius X (Festus) in straight sets to win the Class 4 state title.   I went back and looked, in 2020 Blair Oaks didn't make it out of the districts. I only was curious because they completed their three-peat by capturing the Class 3 state title in a five-set classic. On their march to the title, they had to also win a five-set match over Clayton in the quarterfinals. Much more on the three-peat and the players who made it happen this week.   Speaking of five-setters, in Class 2 we saw Fair Grove get it done over Hermann, who played consecutive five-set matches in the state championship final four. And to wrap up the bunch, Advance dominated Class 1, winning all twelve sets played to repeat as state champions.

Both sides of the state line have now completed their respective state tournaments. Kansas took care of business last weekend, followed by Missouri over the past few days. We will get more into the weeds this week but I wanted to touch on the high-level stories from the state championships.