Free State junior Jenalee Dickson (11) makes a dig as teammate Emma Barberena (9) comes in for backup during their volleyball match against Topeka Seaman Wednesday evening at FSHS.

Free State High’s volleyball team has several players who can step up and dominate a game on any given night. The problem is just trying to find consistency for each game.

For the second straight day, the Firebirds had trouble in their first match before finding their rhythm. They split their home triangular on Wednesday, losing to Emporia (25-27, 25-16, 30-28) and defeating Topeka Seaman (25-20, 21-25, 25-17) at FSHS.

It was the second time the Firebirds beat Seaman this season, after a straight set victory in their season opener.

“I think we were mentally more prepared for the Seaman game just because we had played them before,” senior Lauren Johnson said. “In the Emporia game, we played as individuals, then in the Seaman game, we were more of a team. Everyone was having fun with smiles on their faces.”

Against Seaman, the Firebirds had six players finish with at least four kills: Larissa Gaumer, Naomi Hickman, Natalie Clarke, Payton Gannaway, Rachel Hickman and Allie Knapp. With strong sets from Johnson and Jenalee Dickson, the Firebirds just found the hot hand.

Rachel Hickman, Gannaway and Knapp shined in the first set, picking up key kills after the Vikings tied the score at 19-all. In the final set, Gaumer stepped up for three kills in Free State’s last five points.

Defensively, Emma Barberena led with 16 digs, Erin Friedrichsen had eight digs and Naomi Hickman recorded six blocks.

What was the difference against Seaman?

“Just having fun,” Johnson said. “The chemistry on the team is starting to get so much better. People are just bringing their ‘A’ game. It was just good stuff.”

But against Emporia (ranked No. 10 in Class 5A), the Firebirds (8-7) struggled defensively and were inconsistent on offense. Naomi Hickman, the 6-foot-5 middle blocker, led the team with 13 kills, including nine in the third set, but it wasn’t enough for the Firebirds to pull away.

“Our defense was just not there tonight for the Emporia game,” FSHS coach Amy Hoffsommer said. “It was a lot of chaos going on and not really holding our ground and reading hitters very well.”

After winning the first set against Emporia, 27-25, the Firebirds lost the first seven points of the second set. Despite players possessing the ability to dominant for stretches, they are still working on their consistency.

“There’s part of me that loves it because then I know, ‘OK, somebody is going to step up tonight,'” Hoffsommer said. “Part of me hates it because I just want consistent play out of my players.”

The Firebirds will play in the Shawnee Mission South triangular at 5 p.m. on Sept. 24.