When the host team doesn’t win a game at its own volleyball tournament, does that mean some weaker teams will be invited next year?

Not if you’re Lawrence High.

The Lions went 0-5 on Saturday at the Joan L. Wells Invitational, but wouldn’t think twice about inviting the same teams to next year’s tournament. LHS coach Jo Huntsinger said some Class 6A schools might invite a small school to ensure a couple of wins, but that won’t happen while she’s coaching.

“We just don’t have that philosophy,” Huntsinger said. “If a team drops out, we immediately go and get one of the top four teams in 6A or 5A, if they’re not already here. That’s how we got Maize and Shawnee Heights.

“This is a time to match up against the best because we have a month to work on things.”

LHS, 7-16, has lost eight straight matches, but all five of Saturday’s losses were to teams Huntsinger would love to play each week.

With a sophomore dominated lineup, it means playing the likes of defending 5A champ Wichita Carroll, perennial 5A powers like Shawnee Heights and Shawnee Miege or 6A schools like Maize. Add Park Hill South from Missouri, the eventual tournament champ, and it’s a fairly scary field.

LHS didn’t win a game, coming up short in matches against Maize, losing 15-11, 15-13, and Shawnee Mission Northwest, 15-7, 15-11. Throw in losses to Carroll (15-6, 15-5), Park Hill (15-6, 15-7) and Blue Valley Northwest (15-9, 15-4) and it was a day of tough learning experiences.

But the team mirrored Huntsinger’s positive outlook.

“We keep improving. That’s all we’re asking for right now,” said senior Katie Willoughby, who was among the Lions’ kill leaders with 17.

Besides, considering how far the Lions have come since last year, it may not be long before they reverse their fortunes.

When senior Morgan McMichael re-injured a toe on her left foot in the day’s fourth match against SM Northwest, Huntsinger inserted sophomore Abby Schwartz. That left the Lions with one senior (Willoughby), a senior and junior rotating (Sara Coon and Kim Davis) and three sophomores (Bobi Riley, Bonnie Toplikar and setter Drew DeBiasse).

They were tied 10-10 with SM Northwest in the second game, but faltered late. In the day’s final match against BV Northwest, they were down 9-10, but couldn’t hang on.

For a lineup that hadn’t played together this year, Huntsinger said she couldn’t have wanted any more.

“I was really proud of how they handled it,” Huntsinger said.

 Sports reporter Mike Miller can be reached at 832-7152.