Marina
The Emporia High Lady Spartans volleyball team endured a challenging weekend at the Valley Center Tournament, finishing with a 1-3 record.
Despite showing flashes of excellence, the Lady Spartans were plagued by inconsistent play and unforced errors, which ultimately cost them crucial matches.
Head Coach Jiangping Wang admitted the team showed potential but struggled to find the consistency needed to win against tough competition.
Tournament Performance Overview
| Opponent | Set Results | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita East | 25-9, 25-23 | Win (2-0) |
| Kapaun Mt. Carmel | 25-22, 15-25, 13-25 | Loss (1-2) |
| Andale | 18-25, 19-25 | Loss (0-2) |
| Wellington | 25-21, 20-25, 13-25 | Loss (1-2) |
- The team’s sole victory came against Wichita East, snapping a four-match losing streak.
- Emporia won opening sets against Kapaun Mt. Carmel and Wellington but could not close out either match.
- Their straight-set loss to Andale highlighted the inconsistency that has defined their early season.
Struggles with Consistency
Before the win over Wichita East, Emporia had been on a four-match skid dating back to a home loss against Lansing.
This season has seen the Lady Spartans alternate between winning and losing streaks, struggling to maintain momentum.
Coach Wang highlighted mental lapses and unforced errors as major issues:
“We faced some tough competition, and we as a team played inconsistently in this tournament. We made a lot of unforced errors,” Wang said.
She emphasized the need to strengthen both the offense and defense, as well as to build mental toughness:
“We need to work on our consistency and supporting each other. We just couldn’t perform when it came to crunch time.”
Key Players Shining Despite Struggles
While the team has battled inconsistency, individual talent continues to stand out.
- Senior Jade Xu, who recently achieved 1,000 career kills, is one of the top 25 players in Kansas in kills.
- Junior Kaylee DeWitt is also ranked in the top 25 in Kansas for assists, providing a critical playmaking presence.
These standout performances offer hope for a turnaround if the rest of the squad can rally around them and minimize errors.
Upcoming Matches: Tonganoxie and Baldwin
The Lady Spartans will next face Tonganoxie and Baldwin on September 16, with a renewed focus on addressing their inconsistency issues.
| Team | Record | Current Form |
|---|---|---|
| Emporia High | 4-7 (after Valley Center Tournament) | Snapped 4-match losing streak with win over Wichita East |
| Tonganoxie | 6-3 | Alternating 3-match winning and losing streaks |
| Baldwin | 3-5 | Coming off a win over Wellsville |
Coach Wang believes these matchups offer a prime opportunity to regroup and rebuild confidence:
“I feel like the three of us are similar teams. There are a few things we need to work on in today’s practice and see what happens tomorrow,” Wang said.
What Needs to Change
For Emporia to get back on track, several key areas need attention:
- Eliminating unforced errors: Costly mistakes have been the difference in close sets.
- Finishing matches strong: Emporia has often won the first set but faltered late, pointing to focus issues.
- Building team chemistry and communication: Mental resilience and support are crucial to close out tight games.
With practice time before their next match, Wang and her players are determined to reverse the momentum and establish consistency.
The Valley Center Tournament exposed Emporia High volleyball’s struggle with consistency, as the team once again showed flashes of brilliance but failed to sustain it.
Their 1-3 finish underscores the need to limit errors, strengthen mental toughness, and execute under pressure.
With talented leaders like Jade Xu and Kaylee DeWitt, the Lady Spartans have the pieces needed for a turnaround.
Their upcoming matches against Tonganoxie and Baldwin present a pivotal opportunity to reset their season and build momentum as they look to transform inconsistency into steady success.