Class 4A Eastern Sub State Is Loaded With Top Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Previews for Class 6A and 5A Sub States are in the books. It is time to move on to Class 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a report previewing the Class 4A Eastern Sub State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at the brackets for each of the four Sub State tournaments and one prospect to watch from each grouping.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sub State 1: </strong>Rock Creek (Host), Labette County, Fort Scott, Independence, Louisburg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='516237' first='Ambree' last='Portelli']</strong>, 6'4”, OH, Rock Creek, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Portelli is one of multiple ranked athletes on the Rock Creek roster. She is currently ranked No. 52 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. She has collected 153 kills and 48 blocks in 75 sets. Rock Creek is the No. 1 overall Seed in the East Sub State. The Mustangs have a record of 32-4. They will face the winner of a “play-in game” between No. 16 Seed Labette County (8-24) and No. 17 Seed Fort Scott (6-29).  The other first-round match features No. 8 Seed Independence (19-13) against No. 9 Seed Louisburg (19-15).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sub State 2</strong>: Eudora (Host), Field Kindley, Ottawa, Tonganoxie, Bishop Miege</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='562034' first='Braydee' last='Miller']</strong>, 5'8”, OH, Eudora, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eudora has an impressive freshman to watch. Miller is currently ranked No. 47 overall by Prep Dig Kansas. She leads the Cardinals in kills with 299 in 81 sets. Eudora (31-4) is the No. 2 Seed in the East. The Cardinals will play the winner of a “play-in game” between No. 15 Seed Field Kindley (8-25) and No. 18 Seed Ottawa (6-29). The other first-round match pits No. 7 Seed Tonganoxie (22-13) against No. 10 Seed Bishop Miege (16-18).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sub State 3</strong>: Hayden &nbsp;(Host), Baldwin, Paola, Parsons</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='460352' first='Ella' last='Foster']</strong>, 5'4, DS/L, Hayden, ‘26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayden is a salty, young squad poised for a State Tournament run. They have two big-time attackers, but it is the Wildcats' defense that makes them an elite team. Four Hayden prospects have more than 200 digs, led by junior libero Foster. She leads the squad with 358 digs in 82 sets.  Six of Hayden's prospects have played in all 82 sets including Foster. She is currently ranked No. 31 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026 and is the fourth overall ranked libero. Hayden (27-10) is the No. 3 overall seed. Seven of the 10 losses have come to top state programs Washburn Rural and Seaman from the Class 6A and 5A ranks. Hayde opens the tournament against No. 14 Seed Baldwin (10-22). The winner will meet the winner of the match between No. 6 Seed Paola (21-12) and No. 11 Seed Parsons (16-19).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sub State Four</strong>: Holton (Host), Wamego, Chanute, Atchison</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='480408' first='Tinley' last='Wilson']</strong>, 5'10”, OH, Holton, ‘27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holton's attack is led by Wilson. She has recorded a team-high 386 kills in 83 sets. She is currently ranked No. 15 overall in the class of 2027 rankings. Holton (27-11) is the No. 4 Seed and will host No. 13 Seed Wamego (12-22) in the first round. The winner will meet the victory between No. 5 Seed Chanute (24-10) and No. 12 Seed Atchison (12-19). The Blue Streak and Phoenix match is my pick for the best mascot match-up in the Sub State round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->