By NICHOLAS KIMBALL

Staff writer

Hillsboro High School’s volleyball team showed its prowess Saturday in Pratt at a pre-season Central Kansas League tournament, needing to go to three sets only in the championship match.

During pool play, Hillsboro beat Halstead, 25-11 and 25-13, and then went on to beat Lyons, 25-9 and 25-11. Up next was Hesston and 25-16 and 25-18 victories. Hillsboro completed pool play with 25-18 and 25-20 victories over Haven.

“The girls played well on Saturday,” coach Sandy Arnold said. “I felt like we were on the attack most of the day, which kept our opponents on their heels and out of sync.”

During bracket play, Hillsboro faced Pratt and Smoky Valley. Hillsboro beat Pratt, 25-9 and 25-23, and needed three sets for the first time in defeating Smoky Valley, 25-20, 21-25, and 25-19.

“Passing and serving were keys to our offensive game,” Arnold said. “The girls worked through adversity and stepped up in those moments. We learned a lot about our team and what we need to work on before our next outing.”