Topeka ? Free State High’s volleyball team has faced plenty of teams with powerful attacks this season. The Firebirds just haven’t played many quite like Manhattan.

The Firebirds had trouble adjusting defensively and couldn’t recover in a season-ending 25-19, 25-21 loss on Saturday at Washburn Rural in the first round of sub-state.

Free State finished the season with a 23-17 record.

“They were one step ahead of everything, and we were one step behind,” FSHS senior Allie Knapp said. “We just couldn’t quite get on our toes and figure out what they were doing on offense. They were just swinging quick and hitting where we weren’t.”

The Firebirds started strong in the first set, jumping to a 7-2 lead with three kills from freshman Rachel Hickman, two kills by junior Naomi Hickman and an ace by Jenalee Dickson. Lauren Johnson added a few assists.

After Manhattan fought back to tie the score, Free State held a 19-17 advantage before the Indians found their rhythm.

The Indians (24-13) used powerful attacks from senior Maddie Mittie, freshman Brooklyn Cink and junior Gigi McAtee to win the final eight points and take the set. They advanced to the state tournament with a straight-set victory against Wichita East in the sub-state finals later in the afternoon.

“Their really strong point was their ability to use our block,” FSHS coach Amy Hoffsommer said. “We’ve had teams do that to us before, but not as habitually. They just did not back off.”

In the second set, the Firebirds once again had a strong start with kills from Naomi Hickman and juniors Payton Gannaway and Larissa Gaumer. Junior Natalie Clarke added a block.

Manhattan answered with a run of 10 straight points for a commanding 14-7 lead. Free State senior libero Erin Friedrichsen was forced to sit out several points after jamming her wrist on the court attempting a dig, replaced by sophomore Cameryn Thomas. Friedrichsen returned once her left wrist was taped up and she practiced a few passes in the gym’s hallway.

“I knew, as soon as (the trainer) was working with it,” Friedrichsen said, “I just saw our points and we just kept getting farther behind. I was like, ‘I really want to be in there.'”

The Firebirds tried to mount a rally, even scoring five straight points with a kill from junior Emma Barberana and an ace by Dickson, along with a few MHS attacking errors.

However, it was just too much ground to make up.

“I think today we just weren’t connecting,” FSHS senior Rebekah Andersson said. “That happens sometimes in volleyball. You have good days, and you have bad days. I think today wasn’t necessarily a bad day, but we just couldn’t get it right.”

Despite facing a nine-point deficit in the second set, the Firebirds kept encouraging each other to believe they could mount a huge comeback. It wasn’t until the final point was scored that they were faced with the reality that their season was over.

“I’m the only senior who is not going to be continuing in club or in college,” Knapp said through tears. “It’s hard to know that I’m never going to put my shoes on again, and I’m never going to put my knee pads on again. … It’s really hard to go out that way.”