Strong front-line play, serving and end-of-game runs proved pivotal in the Chieftains' win.
Using experience, strong serving and play from the front line, Tonganoxie defeated Perry-Lecompton 15-6, 15-9 Tuesday night.
The senior-laden team showed its experience with seniors Sarah Gripka, Sarah Overbaugh and Sara Poje contributing to the victory.
Gripka had eight service points -- including four in a row in the second game -- Overbaugh contributed all over the court with serves, kills and blocks, and Poje had seven kills, including the winner in the second game.
"Our only thing we battle with is our passing," THS coach LeAnn Bond said. "If we have the passing, we're going to make the kills.
"We have some good servers. We miss our share of serves, but it's not anything that hurts us."
Tonganoxie opened with a 6-1 lead in the first game on serving and kills by Poje, but the Kaws tied the score at 6-6.
After a side-out on a block by Overbaugh, the Chieftains grabbed control of the game, scoring nine unanswered points for the victory. Poje had three kills in the 9-0 run, Overbaugh served the final four points and sophomore setter Keri Walker has three service points.
"For being a first-year setter she's doing a great job," Bond said.
Perry-Lecompton came out strong in the second game, taking a 5-3 lead over Tonganoxie, with three points off Jacki Williams' serving, but could muster little more as the Chieftains fought back to forge a 6-6 tie on Gripka's serving.
"I'm glad we jumped on top," P-L coach Jill Stutler said. "We just need to be a little more consistent and we need smarter decision making in the front row. We're not tall, but we try to be as scrappy as possible."
The Chieftains wouldn't let the Kaws fight their way back into the game, though, outscoring them 9-3 the rest of the way. Tonganoxie scored six of the final seven points for the 15-9 victory.
Many of the Chieftains' points during the run were due to the play of the front line. Aimee Eisman had a block, Poje had the game-winning kill and Leslie Starcher had two kills and a tip for points.
"I thought that Starcher hit the ball well tonight," Bond said.
Stutler said the Kaws need to work on getting to the ball.
"I think we can compete against teams like Tongie," she said, "but we need to be quicker, so I think we need to work on our footspeed.
"I'd say our defense is what we need to work on too."
Bond thought Tonganoxie had some of the same problems.
"We let too many balls hit the floor that didn't need to," she said.
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