Getting to cover so many great kids was an honor for me, including these guys as they were generous enough to let me in their group picture.
Eleven years ago, I was a nervous wreck.
I had just been laid off from my newspaper job, one where I had spent seven years covering Louisburg. Like so many others in this profession, I suddenly found myself staring at an uncertain future as newspapers continued to disappear. Jobs were scarce. Stability was gone. And I had a family to support.
I knew I was probably going to have to take a job I didn’t want — something far from journalism — just to make ends meet.
Then an idea hit me.
With news media shifting more and more online, I wondered: Would Louisburg support something like this? Would the community care enough about local sports to follow an independent site dedicated solely to their athletes?
As it turned out, the answer was an overwhelming yes.
Because of the relationships I had built during my first seven years here, there was an appetite from local businesses to support the idea — and many of them never wavered. Eleven years later, a lot of those same businesses were still standing beside Louisburg Sports Zone, believing it was an important piece of the community.
They were right — and I couldn’t agree more.
This past decade-plus has been some of the best years of my life. Through Louisburg Sports Zone, I formed incredible relationships with coaches, athletes, administrators, parents and community members. Even as a graduate of rival Paola, the Louisburg community adopted me as one of their own.
For those of you around my age or older, this might resonate.
I often felt like Norm from Cheers.
Every time I walked into a gym, stadium or field, I’d hear, “Hey Andy!” or “Thanks for coming!” or “We appreciate you.” So many people knew my name — even people I didn’t know — simply because they appreciated what I did.
Instead of an icy cold glass in my hand, I carried a camera. My barstool wasn’t at a counter — it was on the sideline, capturing moments as they happened. And there were plenty of them.
State championships. State tournament appearances. Individual champions and medalists. Record-breaking performances.
I was lucky enough to see it all.
But my favorite part was always watching kids grow — seeing freshmen mature into seniors and leave as confident, capable young adults. That transformation never got old.
My very first event as Louisburg Sports Zone was a home basketball game. I was only a couple months removed from being laid off and still unsure if this idea would work or if anyone would even care.
Those worries disappeared quickly.
As I walked into the gym, Natalie Moore, Kirstin Lowry and Kallie O’Keefe stopped their warmups to smile and wave. Coach Shawn Lowry walked clear across the court to shake my hand and welcome me back.
More than a decade later, I still get those same smiles from athletes and handshakes from coaches and parents alike. Those connections are what made this decision so difficult.
Was fortunate to interview so many student athletes these last 11 years.
Six months ago, I was offered a position with KSHSAA Covered and the Kansas High School Activities Association. Honestly, I never thought I’d have another writing job outside of Louisburg Sports Zone. I fully intended to keep doing this until the appetite for it simply wasn’t there anymore.
But the opportunity was too good to pass up — and it was the right move for my family.
I knew the connections wouldn’t be the same. Starting over is hard, especially when you know what you’re leaving behind. My favorite part of this job was feeling the appreciation from the community and knowing I was giving people something positive to read.
I wasn’t perfect. I made mistakes along the way. But this community allowed me to grow — as a writer, photographer and a person. I always tried to do the best I could and to cover every sport as fairly and equally as possible.
The last five or six years put me in an interesting position, as my own kids were playing varsity sports. How do you balance being a supportive dad and a journalist at the same time? I hope I did it right.
One of the biggest perks of this job was getting to write about my kids — their first varsity goal, first basket, first shutout or a big volleyball performance. I know how lucky I was to experience that.
None of this would have been possible without my family — especially my wife, Jennifer. I wasn’t home much in the evenings, especially with young kids, and that wasn’t easy. She never stopped supporting me.
It was awesome to have my family with me as I was surprised with Louisburg Citizen of the Year a few years ago.
To my kids — Jordan, Ally and Carter — thank you for understanding the crazy hours and for supporting me even when I couldn’t be at everything like other parents. I love you more than you know.
I also want to thank all of my advertisers, past and present. Louisburg Sports Zone doesn’t exist without you. Craig Holtzen and Edward Jones, Dixon Contracting Services, White’s Automotive, Prime Accounting Services, Amborn Stone, Wildcat Vet Clinic, Dr. Andy Hill, Destination Fun Travel, Vance Brothers, Go Brolly, First National Bank, First Option Bank, Landmark Bank, Dr. Laura’s Orthodontics, IronHorse Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Louisburg Family Dental, Vohs Pharmacy, Elliott Insurance, Magnum Equipment, Louisburg Athletic Club, Louisburg Library, Tri-County Pest, Midwest Collision — and so many others along the way.
I also wanted to give a big shoutout to a Louisburg graduate – Kenneth Sweeney. He has been my “web guy” this whole time. He helped design the site and has also been there to help me troubleshoot what problems have come up since then. I couldn’t have done it without him.
Thank you to every coach I’ve worked with. Getting to know you and promote your programs has truly been an honor. I appreciate you enduring my countless emails that I send out every week. You have helped make Louisburg Sports Zone what it is as well. I will miss you all.
And finally, the student-athletes — you are the reason this worked. Thank you for letting me into your lives and giving me so many incredible stories to tell. And consider this a long-overdue apology to anyone I ever did “dirty” with an unfortunate action photo.
So here I am, 11 years later, feeling some of those same nerves as I move into something new. The last six months with KSHSAA Covered have been great, and I’ve been welcomed with open arms.
Still, walking away from something I built was not easy.
I only hope that Louisburg Sports Zone has been as much of a blessing to you as it has been to me. These have been some of the best times of my life — and I will treasure them always.
Thank you, Louisburg.
Top 10 Louisburg Sports Stories of 2025
It was a successful, and eventful, year for Louisburg High School athletics and for those who are connected to the Wildcat program.
This past year created a lot of school history for LHS and a few programs made their way to state competition.
Below are the top stories from 2025, along with a brief explanation of each. Included in the writeup is the link to the actual story from the event.
When putting the list together, I took a lot of things into account – whether it was team vs. individual, popularity of the sport, historical achievements and the interest it drew on the web site.
Although 2025 will be the last for Louisburg Sports Zone, I am looking forward to seeing, from a distance, what Louisburg athletics can accomplish in the future. Thank you all for the support in these last 11 years. I will never forget it.
Louisburg senior Sam Frederick carded an 87 during the May 19 regional tournament and earned a top 10 finish and a state bid, along with teammate Derek Frederick.
10. Wildcat golf qualifies two for state
A year ago, the Louisburg golf team suffered heartbreak when the Wildcats were completely shut out of the state tournament.
Not this year, however.
The Wildcats sent two golfers to the state tournament this past May as senior Sam Frederick and junior Derek Frederick both represented Louisburg after earning a spot following the May 19 regional tournament at the Independence Country Club.
Both players competed in their first state tournament, which was held May 27 at the Sand Creek Station Course in Newton.
Sam Frederick earned a regional medal with a top 10 performance as he led the Wildcat team. The Louisburg senior finished 10th with an 87 on a tough Independence Country Club course. Independence had the top three individual finishers, led by champion Ethan Small, who had a 75.
Derek Frederick was the final individual to qualify for the state tournament as he carded a 91 and took 17th overall.
9. Coaching changes as Brown, Crossley, Schoning take over volleyball, wrestling, girls soccer programs
There were some coaching changes in 2025 as three teams found new leaders to take charge of their respective programs.
Rich Brown (volleyball), Shawn Crossley (wrestling) and Dawson Schoning (girls soccer) were all hired new Louisburg head coaches.
Brown, who took over from Leanna Willer, helped the Wildcats to the sub-state championship game this past season.
Crossley takes over from long-time coach Bobby Bovaird, who resigned following the season earlier this year. Crossley, who is an LHS alum and former Wildcat wrestler, was an assistant coach the last several years.
As for Schoning, he takes over from former coach Jordan Roquemore who helped lead the Wildcats to a fourth-place state finish a year ago. Schoning, who is new to the district this year, was an assistant coach on the boys team this past fall.
Louisburg senior Sabra Brueggen swims the 200 individual medley on May 24 during the Class 5-1A Kansas State Swim and Dive Championships in Topeka.
8. Brueggen earns pair of state swim medals
TOPEKA — As Sabra Brueggen stepped onto the state swim podium for the final time, a flood of memories came rushing back.
Memories of when it all started, the friends she made and all her successes along the way. Brueggen has been one of the top swimmers in Class 5-1A the last four years and she proved it once again on May 24 during the Kansas State Swim and Dive Championships in Topeka.
The Louisburg senior ended her high school career with two state medals and a lifetime full of memories.
“Ending my high school career was a very sentimental moment for me,” Brueggen said. “It was the last time I would be racing some of the girls I have been swimming against since age six. Being able to share the podium with them one last time made it even more meaningful, making me very proud of how I performed at my final state meet.”
Brueggen had strong swims throughout 2-day meet that began on May 23 at the Capitol Federal Natatorium. In the prelims, she qualified for the finals in fifth in both the 200-yard individual medley and 100 backstroke.
In the finals, Brueggen found her way to the medal stand as she finished sixth in the 200 individual medley in 2 minutes and 14.42 seconds.
The 100 backstroke proved to be much of the same for Brueggen there as she also medaled sixth in a time of 58.81 seconds. It completed a string of four straight years of earning a state medal.
The Louisburg girls cross country team of (from left) Talen McMurray, Annie Hornberger, Karissa Williamson, Maddox McGhee, Hailey Shelton, Reese Smith and Felicity Allen won the program’s first regional title.
7. Wildcat girls make history with first regional cross country title
On a rainy, muddy Saturday at Riverside Park in Neodesha, the Wildcats powered through the slick conditions to win the Class 4A regional championship with 39 points — seven ahead of runner-up Paola. The victory also secured a state berth for the entire Louisburg squad.
“It was awesome and emotional to see the girls leave Neodesha as regional champs,” Louisburg coach John Reece said. “It has been a long time in the making as we have had multiple teams qualify for state but have never won a regional title. The rankings had us winning the meet, but those are just rankings. The girls showed up to compete and that is exactly what they did.”
It was a youthful lineup that led the Wildcats to history, featuring two freshmen, four sophomores and one junior — and the youngest runners set the tone. Freshman Karissa Williamson finished fourth overall in 22:40.26, just ahead of fellow freshman Maddox McGhee, who took fifth in 22:40.46. Sophomore Hailey Shelton placed sixth in 22:57, giving Louisburg three runners in the top 10.
Sophomore Reese Smith finished ninth in 23:50, junior Talen McMurray placed 16th in 24:16, and sophomores Felicity Allen and Annie Hornberger rounded out the lineup in 23rd and 27th, respectively.
The team went on to run at state along with Truman Ellison, Titus Ellison and Spencer Mattison, who qualified for state on the boys side.
Louisburg senior Ashton Moore wrestles in the 215-pound state championship in Salina. Moore finished second overall.
6. Moore state runner-up in wrestling, Wildcats qualify 7 for state
SALINA — In the final match of his wrestling career, Ashton Moore found himself competing for a state championship.
It was exactly the place he envisioned himself being, even before the season started. The result, however, was a different story.
Moore’s dreams of a state title were dashed Saturday at the Class 4A state wrestling tournament in Salina. Smoky Valley’s Parker Gardner ended his run with a 13-5 major decision at 215 pounds.
As disappointing as the loss was for Moore, looking back on his long wrestling career helped ease the pain — as did the second place state medal.
“It was tough taking that loss,” Moore said. “I was pretty down about it, but then I had a moment that put things more into perspective for me. After our practice on Friday, Coach (Bobby) Bovaird took us up to the top of the arena to talk about the tournament. Sitting there I remembered being in that same spot as a sixth grader watching the championship round there. At that age I thought those guys were amazing and the toughest people I’d ever seen.
“So after my loss I thought back to that moment being a sixth grader and I was able to realize how far I’ve come. To see myself at that level now made me very proud I was able to make it to that stage.”
The Wildcat program also had six other wrestlers compete at the state tournament, including two on the girls side.
Seniors Brayden Yoder (215), Canaan Clayton (120), Mika McKitrick (132) and sophomore Levi Cotter (106) each finished the tournament with an 0-2 mark.
On the girls side, Leola Eslinger and Brooklyn DeWeese became the first Wildcat girls to ever qualify for state.
The Louisburg Jazzy Cats pose with their third place state plaque.
5. Jazzy Cats take third at state dance
The Louisburg High School Jazzy Cats made their mark in program history on Nov. 21, earning a third-place finish in Class 4A at the State Game Day Spirit Showcase at the Stormont-Vail Events Center in Topeka.
In their first-ever trip to state competition, the Jazzy Cats not only reached the finals but left with some hardware.
Coach Sarah Alexander said the entire experience was meaningful, not only because of the results, but because it was all uncharted territory for the program.
“This was the first time the Jazzy Cats had ever attended state, so the entire experience was brand new for all of us,” Alexander said. “To come home with a state plaque was absolutely incredible. The girls were thrilled just to have the opportunity to compete, and bringing home a plaque made all of their hard work feel truly rewarding. It was such a special moment for the team and a huge milestone for our program.”
Louisburg scored 81.41 in the finals, just enough to edge Holton (81.23) by the slimmest of margins for the final spot on the podium. Ottawa won the state championship with a score of 90.13, while Bishop Miege secured second at 85.77.
The Louisburg cheer team finished as the state runner-up at the 4A state competition on Nov. 22 in Topeka. It is the sixth top 3 finish for the Wildcats in the last seven years.
4. Louisburg cheer earns Class 4A state runner-up
TOPEKA — The Louisburg High School cheer team added another trophy to its growing collection on Nov. 22, earning the Class 4A state runner-up title at the Game Day Cheer Championships at Stormont-Vail Events Center.
The Wildcats posted an 87.73 in the finals to take second place behind defending state champion Paola, which won with a 94.27. Holton finished third at 85.
For Louisburg, the return to the podium was nothing new. The Wildcats have now finished in the top three six times in the last seven seasons, cementing themselves as one of the state’s most consistent programs.
Louisburg entered the finals in fourth place, boosted by a Fight Song and Crowd Leading routine that ranked second among all teams. The Wildcats had roughly 20 minutes to review score sheets and adjust before stepping back onto the mat—pressure they handled with poise.
“It was truly a special day for all of us,” head coach Breanna Kostroske said. “From the moment we arrived, the athletes were focused, calm, and determined. They’ve poured so much into this season, so seeing them step onto the mat with confidence and joy made the entire experience incredibly meaningful.”
Louisburg senior Cooper Wingfield won the Class 4A state pole vault title on May 30 at Wichita State University.
3. Wingfield wins state pole vault title; Meyer, Vohs earn three state medals to lead Wildcat track
For the last four years, Louisburg has dominated the pole vault on the boys side in Class 4A and had its fair share of success on the girls side.
Caden Caplinger and Maddy Carpenter-Ross earned back-to-back state titles during that span and now it was Cooper Wingfield’s opportunity.
Wingfield won gold in the pole vault in 2024 and was the favorite to win again this season — and he did it with ease. The Louisburg senior cleared 15 feet, 6 inches to win his second consecutive state championship during the Class 4A meet on May 30 at Wichita State University.
“It means a lot to win it back to back, not only for myself, but also to continue what Caden and Maddy had done before me,” Wingfield said. “This year made it four in a row that Louisburg had a state champion in the boys pole vault. It also made me the third back to back pole vault state champion for Louisburg in the last four years. I really wanted to continue that legacy and cement the dynasty we had and I am proud that I did.”
It had been a special year already for Wingfield as he broke his own school record earlier in the year with a clearance of 15-7.75 at the Kansas Relays.
Just like a year ago, his teammate Jacob Brown joined Wingfield on the state podium. Brown earned a fifth place medal after he cleared 14 feet as the Louisburg senior ended his Wildcat career as one of the best in the state.
Meyer cemented his place in the Wildcat track history books in one of those events. The Louisburg senior broke a 14-year-old school record in the 400-meter dash as he earned a fourth place finish in 48.83 seconds.
As for Vohs, he opened the state meet with a fifth-place finish in the long jump. Meyer, Vohs, along with Gavin Lohse and Caleb Feldkamp, finished sixth overall in in the 4×100 relay in 43.76 seconds.
Vohs, Meyer, along with Colton Blue and Emmett White, put together an all-senior 4×400-meter relay that took sixth in 3:27.
Another Louisburg senior, Jerynce Brings Plenty, ended his Wildcat track career with a state medal as well. Brings Plenty finished seventh in the 1,600-meter run in 4:39.78.
On the girls’ side, the Louisburg 4×100-meter relay, Kendall Crossley (100-meter dash) and McKenna Lohse (shot put) all found their way to the state podium.
Louisburg’s 4×100-meter relay team of senior Mackenzie Rooney, along with juniors Kendall Crossley, Addi Mallett and Suzanna Dansel finished fourth at state. The Wildcat group broke the school record during the regional meet and posted another fast time of 49.14 seconds during the prelims, which gave them the second fastest time heading into the finals.
That wouldn’t be the only time Crossley found her way to the medal stand.
The Louisburg junior qualified for the finals of the 100-meter dash earlier in the day, and then in the finals, medaled eighth overall in 12.82 seconds.
In the shot put, Lohse put herself in good position in the prelims. She recorded a throw of 37 feet, 1.25 inches in her first three attempts and was sitting in second place going into the finals, before taking fifth overall.
Louisburg junior Colin Brown celebrates after winning his prelim of the 100-yard butterfly at the Class 5-1A state championships in Lenexa.
2. Brown first Wildcat to win 2 state swim titles; Wildcats medal in 6 events
LENEXA — Colin Brown was all about making school history Saturday at the Class 5-1A Kansas State Swim and Dive Championships.
The Louisburg junior took to the water again in the 100 backstroke and won his second state title in a matter of minutes. It was also his fourth state medal of the day, which included a pair of relays.
“It was a surreal experience and an incredible honor,” Brown said. “It was really cool to see all of the hard work and countless hours pay off. It also gave me a sense of pride knowing that I was representing the school while doing so.”
That was the some of the success the Louisburg swim team had at the Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center. The Wildcats medaled in six events and finished seventh in the team standings with just four swimmers.
Louisburg junior Andrew Jamison also tallied four medals as made his way to the state podium in the 200 individual medley, 100 breaststroke and two relays. Senior Colton Prettyman and sophomore Noah Sharp joined the other Wildcats as state medalists in the relays.
The Louisburg girls soccer team took fourth at the Class 4-1A state tournament on May 31 in Wichita. Members of the team are (front row, from left) Brinley Ewy, Lila Edwards, Rylee Moore, Baileigh Johnson, Jaden Bentz, Ally Brown, Riley May, Rowan Yows, Merritt McIntire, Faith Sewell; (back row) assistant coach Lily McDaniel, Cortney Johnson, Ellia Gibbons, Sydney York, Caroline Apple, Cora Roche, Kahlan Harris, Juanina Schmidt, Briella Diehl, Mena Fercho, Faith Sewell and head coach Jordan Roquemore.
1. Wildcat soccer takes fourth at state for best finish since 2021
It may have been wet, muddy and just miserable weather for a day in late May, but for the Louisburg girls soccer team, all that didn’t matter.
For the Wildcats, it was a beautiful day. Nothing was going to dampen their spirits.
Louisburg faced off against Eudora in the Class 4-1A state quarterfinal game on May 25 as it played for a spot in the state final four.
For the first time since 2021, the Wildcats got it. Louisburg shutout Eudora, 2-0, to earn its first state quarterfinal win in four years.
“It is an amazing achievement to make it to the state final four and I couldn’t be more proud of this team,” senior captain Jaden Bentz said. “This really shows the amount of hard work we’ve all put in throughout the season and it’s nice knowing it has paid off. I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls to play with. When the final whistle blew we all were filled with excitement and ran to each other, and that shows the tight sisterly bond our team has.”
Louisburg head coach Jordan Roquemore was an assistant the last time the Wildcats were in the state semifinals and he could tell his team wanted this one more than any game this season.
“I have never seen the team so jazzed about anything all season as when the game was over,” Roquemore said. “We are all really excited for the opportunity to compete in the Final Four this year.”
Louisburg squared off with Rose Hill in the third-place game of the Class 4-1A Kansas State Soccer Championships on May 31 at Wichita’s Stryker Complex. It didn’t take long for the Wildcats to get on the board.
The Wildcats struck first in the game’s opening minutes, but Rose Hill tied it in the first half and scored late in the second to hand Louisburg a 2-1 loss.
Louisburg was coming off a 2-0 loss in the state semifinals on May 28 as it hosted its first state semifinal game against Topeka-Hayden.
“Honestly, I was really proud of how we played this game,” Louisburg coach Jordan Roquemore said. “Rose Hill is an exceptional squad and we not only kept them at bay defensively, we were very successful in creating attack opportunities. We were nearly even with them for shots on goal and I thought it was a very well-matched game for us.”
Kilgore, Moore earn first team all-league honors as Wildcats put four on team
The Louisburg volleyball team saw its postseason run end in the Class 4A sub-state championship, but the Wildcats didn’t leave the year without a strong stamp on the Frontier League. Four Louisburg players were selected to the All-Frontier League Team, including two first-team honorees, after helping guide the program to another strong season.
Senior Caileigh Kilgore and junior Adelyn Moore were both named to the league’s first team, while senior McKenna Lohse and junior Regan Williams earned honorable mention recognition.
For head coach Rich Brown, the group’s league awards were a fitting reflection of their consistency and impact.
“I think we were represented well,” Brown said. “It’s challenging for us when we have so many hitters and blockers that we rely on. Other teams have the one standout player, but I think all our seniors make great progress for our team.”
Kilgore wrapped up her Louisburg career as one of the most productive hitters in the league. She finished the season with 320 kills, a team high, while also placing second with 49 aces and adding 21 blocks. She also added 270 digs as a six-rotation play for the Wildcats.
“Caileigh improved her game as the season progressed,” he said. “She has been able to use her power since she was a sophomore, but her other shots—off-speed, line, everything—made her much more consistent.”
Moore, the Wildcats’ steady junior setter, helped orchestrate Louisburg’s offense at a high level all season. She tallied 976 assists, one of the strongest totals in the area, and also chipped in 216 digs and 102 kills.
“It’s been really fun watching Adelyn become a leader on the court,” Brown said. “She is able to distribute the ball effectively and helped our hitters become more effective. Her defense was also a great help in transition.”
Lohse provided firepower and presence at the net throughout her senior campaign. She led the Wildcats with 55 aces, finished second in kills with 198, and posted a team-best 48 blocks, giving Louisburg a physical advantage at the net.
“Another staple in the offense,” Brown said. “Her ability to take the shots necessary to keep the defense honest was a big part of our effectiveness as a team.”
Williams anchored Louisburg’s back row as the team’s libero, finishing with a team-high 315 digs. Her passing and out-of-system setting kept the Wildcats competitive in long rallies and tight moments.
“We’ve had a lot of one-year starters at libero, but it was a huge plus for Regan to get recognized as a junior,” Brown said. “A great passer, a great out-of-system setter, and really, really good at making us an attacking team when we are under pressure.”
Wildcat volleyball season ends in sub-state finals against Miege
Louisburg seniors Delaney Nelsen, Caileigh Kilgore, McKenna Lohse, Stella Bohnenstiehl, Rylee Telken, along with manager Morgan Latham saw their season come to a close in the sub-state championship game.
CHANUTE — The Louisburg volleyball team left everything on the court.
The Wildcats’ postseason run came to an emotional end in the Class 4A sub-state championship Oct. 25 in Chanute, where they fell to perennial power Bishop Miege, 25-23 and 25-19.
Though the loss marked the close of the season, it also capped a year filled with grit, growth and lasting memories for the five Louisburg seniors who played their final match — Delaney Nelsen, McKenna Lohse, Rylee Telken, Caileigh Kilgore and Stella Bohnenstiehl.
Louisburg, the No. 8 seed, swept Independence in the semifinals, 25-20 and 25-18, to move on to the sub-state championship for the second straight year.
“Miege always presents a special challenge for us,” Louisburg head coach Rich Brown said. “They are the perennial champions and come in with a record that doesn’t reflect their talent. We watched film of both them and Chanute as we were looking at what was coming up.”
In the title match, Nelsen led the way offensively with seven kills, while Kilgore added six. Setter Adelyn Moore distributed 18 assists, continuing her strong season running the Wildcats’ attack. Defensively, libero Regan Williams dug up nine balls, while Lohse and Telken combined for nine blocks at the net.
Against Independence, Nelsen served three aces to spark Louisburg’s momentum. Kilgore and Lohse followed with six and five kills, respectively, as Moore tallied 19 assists and Williams again anchored the defense with nine digs.
Brown said he was proud of how his team prepared and competed.
“I think they did a great job against Independence,” Brown said. “In practice, we were able to simulate some of the things they do leading up to sub-state and how we could counter them.”
Even though their championship hopes fell just short, the Wildcats left Chanute with their heads held high. The senior class helped guide a young team through challenges, while setting the tone for the program’s future.
“I really enjoyed this season,” Brown said. “The players responded well to coaching and improved as the season went on. I hope they came out of the season with a positive outlook at what lies ahead for them in the world of volleyball.”
Week 8 Athlete of the Week: Adelyn Moore
Here is the Louisburg Sports Zone Athlete of the Week for week eight of the fall sports season, sponsored by Dr. Laura’s Orthodontics.
ADELYN MOORE, JUNIOR, VOLLEYBALL
Louisburg junior setter Adelyn Moore helped guide the Wildcats to a sub-state championship game appearance after a 2-0 victory over Independence. Louisburg eventually fell to Bishop Miege, 2-0, in the championship game.
On the season, Moore put together a strong junior campaign in her third year as a starter. She finished with 976 assists on the season to go along with 38 aces. She was also strong defensively with 216 digs as she helped Louisburg to a 24-13 season.
The athlete of the week award is announced every Wednesday morning during the fall season and the winner is selected by Louisburg Sports Zone with the help of nominations from coaches.
Wildcats win three straight heading into postseason
The Louisburg volleyball won three straight matches to the end the season and are the No. 8 seed heading into Saturday’s sub-state tournament.
The Louisburg volleyball team is heading into the postseason on a hot streak.
The Wildcats capped their regular season with three straight victories, including dominant wins over Wamego, Ottawa and Baldwin, giving them momentum as they prepare for Saturday’s Class 4A sub-state tournament in Chanute.
Louisburg opened the final stretch on Oct. 16 at Ottawa with a 25-13, 25-18 sweep of Wamego. Senior Caileigh Kilgore led the attack with six kills, and junior Breck Nielsen added five. Setter Adelyn Moore finished with 16 assists and four kills, while libero Regan Williams paced the defense with six digs.
The Wildcats stayed sharp against Ottawa, rolling to a 25-18, 25-13 win. Kilgore again led the offense with eight kills, and McKenna Lohse added five. Moore recorded another 16 assists in the victory.
“We had a really good night against Wamego and Ottawa,” Louisburg coach Rich Brown said. “Ottawa is a much better team than they were early in the season. Getting our block in the right position against their slide hitter was a challenge. Delaney Nelsen played a smart game and was able to score on tips frequently. Our middles, both Breck and Kenna, ran the quick attack consistently.”
Louisburg closed out the regular season Tuesday with a convincing 25-10, 25-21, 25-14 sweep at Baldwin. The Wildcats were dominant from the service line, collecting 12 aces — six from freshman Reagan Varns and three from Lohse. Kilgore finished with nine kills, Lohse added six and Delaney Nelsen chipped in five. Moore dished out 25 assists and added five kills, while Stella Bohnenstiehl and Ellie Vohs led the defense with nine digs apiece.
For the season, Kilgore leads the Wildcats with 308 kills, followed by Nelsen (200), Nielsen (190), Lohse (188) and Rylee Telken (185). Lohse tops the team with 53 aces, and Kilgore has 48. Moore is closing in on a milestone with 939 assists. Defensively, Williams has a team-best 298 digs, and Telken leads at the net with 43 blocks.
Louisburg (23-12) enters sub-state as the No. 8 seed and will face No. 9 Independence (18-16) in the opening round. The winner will advance to meet either top-seeded Chanute (35-1) or the Bishop Miege/Fort Scott play-in winner in the championship.
Brown said his team is focused on preparation and execution as it enters postseason play.
“I’m incredibly superstitious about looking ahead,” he said. “Postseason will be a challenge for us. We played Chanute early in the season and they ran us all over the place. They play great defense and are very smart. But truthfully, we can’t spend more than a minute preparing for anyone other than Independence. That’s who we’ll focus on this week.”
It is also the final postseason run for five Louisburg seniors in McKenna Lohse, Delaney Nelsen, Rylee Telken, Stella Bohnenstiehl and Caileigh Kilgore.
“This group has been starters or important subs for most of the last two years,” Brown said. “I was also lucky enough to coach them when they played JV also. I think they have been a foundation to the things we’ve accomplished the past two seasons. It will be strange next season not seeing them in the gym all the time.”
Wildcats battle through long week, go 2-3 at Silver Lake Invitational
Louisburg’s Caileigh Kilgore goes up for a kill last Tuesday against Paola.
SILVER LAKE — The Louisburg volleyball team endured a tough, but competitive week on the court, capped by a 2-3 finish at the Silver Lake Invitational on Saturday.
The Wildcats earned hard-fought victories over Rossville (2-1) and Jefferson West, but suffered two losses to Perry-Lecompton (2-0, 2-1) and fell to Hays in a tight 2-1 match.
“Silver Lake was a very tough tournament with teams from the greater Topeka area in attendance,” Louisburg coach Rich Brown said. “We don’t get a chance to see many teams from that area, so I like the fact that every opponent looks new to us. Like we continue to do, a lot of our matches went three sets and we wore out before the day was over.”
Despite the final record, Louisburg showcased strong individual and team performances throughout the tournament. Senior outside hitter Delaney Nelsen paced the offense with 38 kills, five aces and 29 digs, continuing her steady play on both ends. Fellow senior Caileigh Kilgore also had a standout showing, racking up a team-high eight aces while adding 33 kills and 36 digs.
The Wildcats’ front line received a boost from senior Rylee Telken, who recorded 31 kills and added eight blocks, while Breck Nielsen contributed 28 kills over the five matches. In the middle, McKenna Lohse was a key presence at the net, finishing with 26 kills and a team-best 10 blocks.
Defensively, junior libero Regan Williams anchored the back row with a team-leading 62 digs, and senior Stella Bohnenstiehl added 36 digs of her own. The offense flowed through senior setter Adelyn Moore, who orchestrated the attack with 135 assists.
Louisburg junior Adelyn Moore sets up a teammate last week against Paola.
“Our middle blockers were active for most of the day and that helps everyone out when we can use all parts of our offense,” Brown said. “We started out rough covering tips and made a few little adjustments that helped us later.”
Before their weekend tournament, the Wildcats had a pair of league matchups that showcased the team’s resilience and talent.
On Thursday, Louisburg went toe-to-toe with Frontier League foe Spring Hill on the road but came up just short in four sets: 25-22, 19-25, 25-19, 25-21. Kilgore led the attack with 13 kills, while Nelsen and Nielsen chipped in 12 and 11 kills, respectively. Lohse turned in a strong all-around performance with five aces and three blocks. Moore finished with 37 assists, while Nelsen led the defense with 17 digs.
“I wish we had found our groove going into the third set,” Brown said. “I know we will split sets with a lot of teams we face based on how consistent our serve receive is. Spring Hill did a good job keeping us out of system and we are still trying to find an answer for our troubles in that aspect of the game.”
Louisburg’s Rylee Telken (4) celebrates with her teammates after a big play against Paola.
Earlier in the week, on Sept. 30, the Wildcats earned a big rivalry win over Paola in four competitive sets: 26-24, 18-25, 25-16, 25-22. Lohse came up big for Louisburg with 15 kills to lead the team, while Kilgore added 12. Nielsen posted eight kills and three blocks in the win, and Moore dished out 39 assists. Kilgore also led the defensive effort with 17 digs.
It was also the Dig Pink night as the Wildcat team raised money for a local family battling cancer.
“I love the atmosphere whenever we get to play Paola,” Brown said. “I think the girls were looking forward to this one on the calendar. It was an exciting night as we were also honoring those who are affected by cancer.”
With several players stepping up in big moments, the Wildcats (17-10) continue to battle through a challenging stretch of the season, gaining valuable experience and chemistry along the way.
Five seniors will play their final home match tonight as the Wildcats host Tonganoxie for Senior Night. The Wildcats will honor McKenna Lohse, Delaney Nelsen, Caileigh Kilgore, Rylee Telken, Stella Bohnenstiehl and manager Morgan Latham prior to the start of the game. Varsity is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Wildcats finish third at home tournament
The Louisburg volleyball team finished third Saturday at its home invitational. Members of the team (from left) are Stella Bohnenstiehl, Rylee Telken, Breck Nielsen, Regan Williams, Adelyn Moore, McKenna Lohse, Caileigh Kilgore and Delaney Nelsen.
The Louisburg volleyball team delivered a strong showing at their home tournament Saturday, finishing third overall at the Louisburg Invitational with a 3-2 record in round-robin play.
The Wildcats picked up key wins over Basehor-Linwood (25-22, 25-21), Shawnee Mission South (25-18, 20-25, 26-24), and Shawnee Mission West (26-24, 15-25, 25-12), showing balance across the lineup. Their only losses on the day came against a tough Olathe North squad (14-25, 27-25, 25-14) and Shawnee Mission East (25-13, 26-24), both Class 6A programs.
“It was a long day, but we only have ourselves to blame for that,” Louisburg coach Rich Brown said. “With such a small number of teams for our tournament, we have to avoid making our matches last three sets. We have trouble starting our second sets in most of our matches and it showed when we started our final match of the day against Shawnee Mission East.”
Setter Adelyn Moore was a catalyst for the offense, racking up 100 assists across the five matches and adding eight aces to her stat line. The junior playmaker consistently put her hitters in position to succeed.
Offensively, Caileigh Kilgore led the way at the net with a team-best 30 kills, while fellow seniors Delaney Nelsen and McKenna Lohse provided a strong supporting cast. Nelsen recorded 26 kills, seven aces, and 30 digs, while Lohse added 24 kills, a team-high eight aces, and seven blocks.
Louisburg senior Caileigh Kilgore rises up for a kill last Tuesday against Eudora.
Junior Breck Nielsen and senior Rylee Telken were also key contributors, finishing with 22 and 21 kills, respectively. Telken chipped in defensively with six blocks.
On the back line, junior libero Regan Williams anchored the defense with a team-high 37 digs, while Kilgore added 32 to round out a strong all-around performance.
“Like everyone else in the world, we get comfortable playing our favorite style, whether that is where we go for coverage or what set we ask for as a hitter or where we like to place our tips,” Brown said. “The problem is other teams have scouted us well and know what our tendencies are. Our players started to figure that out in our afternoon matches and went to what would score for us, rather than what we thought were the safest plays.”
On Sept. 23, the Wildcats traveled to Eudora and left with a 3-0 loss to the Cardinals but rebounded nicely two days later.
Louisburg picked up a pair of wins against Fort Scott and Girard at Fort Scott High School. The Wildcats edged Fort Scott in three sets, 2-1 (25-23, 21-25, 25-19), before sweeping Girard (25-19, 25-10).
Louisburg senior Stella Bohnenstiehl stretches out for a dig last week against Eudora.
Kilgore again led the offense with 17 kills and a team-high five aces, while Nielsen tallied 13 kills and Lohse added 11. Moore dished out 46 assists and added three aces, matching Telken and Lohse in that category. Nelsen led the defense with 13 digs.
“After the Eudora match, we talked a little bit about how well Eudora took us out of our style of play,” Brown said. “We were forced out of system over and over and the only way to change that is to get better at passing as a team. Against Fort Scott and Girard our passing was much better and we were able to do a lot more with our middle blockers getting attacks.”
With a 14-6 record, Louisburg returns home to host rival Paola today in a key Frontier League matchup.
Wildcat volleyball battles Harrisonville to five-set victory
Louisburg junior Breck Nielsen goes up for a kill during a match earlier this season.
HARRISONVILLE, Mo. — The Louisburg High School volleyball team showed its toughness and depth last Thursday night, rallying on the road to defeat Harrisonville in a dramatic five-set match, 16-25, 25-20, 26-24, 18-25, 15-10.
After dropping the opening set, the Wildcats found their rhythm behind senior Caileigh Kilgore, who led the team in three statistical categories. Kilgore recorded a team-high 15 kills, fired in five service aces, and tied for the team lead with 14 digs.
“Harrisonville was our best match so far this season,” Louisburg coach Rich Brown said. “Obviously we struggled at times and Harrisonville did a great job of making us adjust our play to cover our weaknesses. Five set matches are fun from the standpoint of looking at how a team can overcome adversity and stay focused on the long term goals.
“Early in the first set we made a bunch of unforced errors and it took a while to settle down. Midway through the fourth set, our serves started to fall inbounds and that gave us some momentum for the fifth set. I’m pretty sure I enjoyed the stress of the match more than our fans did.”
Setter Adelyn Moore was the engine behind the offense, finishing with an impressive 44 assists to go along with steady decision-making throughout the night. At the net, Louisburg had several hitters contribute to the attack: Rylee Telken and McKenna Lohse each posted nine kills, while Delaney Nelsen and Breck Nielsen added eight apiece.
Telken also had a strong night defensively, leading the Wildcats with five blocks. Lohse added three blocks of her own, helping slow down Harrisonville’s front line in critical moments.
In the back row, libero Regan Williams matched Kilgore with a team-high 14 digs and also served three aces. Nelsen and senior Stella Bohnenstiehl added 13 and 11 digs, respectively, helping Louisburg keep rallies alive and maintain control late in the match.
The win over Harrisonville capped off a strong week for the Wildcats, who also earned a straight-set sweep on Sept. 16 at Bonner Springs: 25-14, 25-21, 25-19.
“Bonner presented some unique challenges to us as far as playing at our pace,” Brown said. “The faster a match goes, the happier and more energetic we are. Our match tempo lagged and we are going to have to work on pushing the pace of the match in the future.”
Kilgore once again led the offense with 14 kills, while Moore tallied 33 assists in the win. As a team, Louisburg served up 13 aces, using aggressive serving to keep Bonner Springs off balance throughout the match.
Now riding a two-match winning streak, the Wildcats (8-3) will look to carry that momentum into their upcoming schedule as league play tonight at Eudora.
Week 2 Athlete of the Week: Caileigh Kilgore
Here is the Louisburg Sports Zone Athlete of the Week for week two of the fall sports season, sponsored by Dr Laura’s Orthodontics.
CAILEIGH KILGORE, SENIOR, VOLLEYBALL
Louisburg senior Caileigh Kilgore put together a big week for the Wildcat volleyball team as she helped the Wildcats to a 6-3 week, and one that ended with a second place finish at the Frontenac Invitational on Saturday. Kilgore, who plays all six rotations for Louisburg, contributed on both ends of the floor. She led the team in three statistical categories.
Kilgore finished the week with a team-high 85 kills and was also strong behind the service-line with a team-best 10 aces. Defensively, she was also strong in the back row with 66 digs. Along with the runner-up finish at Frontenac, the Wildcats also defeated Ottawa and Piper on the week and are now 7-3 on the season.
The athlete of the week award is announced every Wednesday morning during the fall season and the winner is selected by Louisburg Sports Zone with the help of nominations from coaches.
