Tonganoxie Seniors Tracie Hileman (4) and Liz Baska (14) congratulate THS coaches Brandon and Tiffany Parker after defeating Andover on Saturday in the Class 4A state tournament third-place match at the Salina Bicentennial Center.

Salina ? The Tonganoxie High volleyball team didn’t win the Kansas Class 4A state tournament Saturday, but this much is certain: This year’s Chieftains were the most successful volleyball team in school history.

After defeating Andover, 25-14, 25-22, Tonganoxie took third place at the Salina Bicentennial Center. The highest THS ever had finished in the state tournament was fourth.

Earlier Saturday, Tonganoxie lost in the semifinals to the eventual state champion, Topeka-Hayden, 25-18, 25-22.

THS didn’t look like it wanted the day to end, though, when it faced Andover in its final match of the season in the consolation championship.

Senior Sami Franiuk gave Andover nightmares with her serving. Franiuk had three straight service aces in the first game to give Tonganoxie a 19-5 lead.

“We offered up the facts,” Tonganoxie co-coach Brandon Parker said. “They could be the highest finisher in Tonganoxie history, finish with a win and finish with a trophy. After so many years of playing and all they’ve been through, it’s a disservice if they don’t finish on a great note.”

Tonganoxie (32-13) will graduate eight seniors – Franiuk, Tracie Hileman, Liz Baska, Shannon Carlin, Hannah Herrstrom, Lindsey Himpel, Roxi Grizzle and Jessie Whitledge.

In fact, the only player with regular playing time on this year’s team who will return next year is junior Chrissy Jeannin.

“I think we should be able to be satisfied with third,” Franiuk said. “Yeah, we wanted first – every team that came in here wanted first – but we ended on a win. We came in here as an eight seed and finished third. Obviously, they messed something up.”