Class 2A Volleyball Outlook

2025 State champion: Ellinwood

 

2025 State runner-up: Valley Heights

 

2025 Review: A year after finishing fourth at the state tournament, it was nothing but perfection for Ellinwood. The Eagles reeled off a 47-0 season that ended with a 25-16 and 25-21 victory over Valley Heights in the state championship. Ellinwood lost only three sets all year as it put together the best season in school history. The Eagles were led by hitters Kyndal Moore and Regan Widener, who were both first team all-state selection, while Widener was the Class 2A Player of the Year. Alyvia Batchman and Mette Maxwell joined Moore and Widener on the all-state tournament team. The Eagles rocketed through pool play with wins over Humboldt, Hillsboro and Rossville, before knocking off Jefferson County North in the semifinals. Ellinwood has also won nine straight league titles and has won 66 straight league matches. For the second year in a row, Valley Heights finished as the state runner-up. It went 2-1 in pool play with wins over Conway Springs and Jefferson County North and lost to Oakley. Heights bounced back to defeat Hillsboro in two sets in the semifinals. Hillsboro defeated Jefferson County North for third place. 

 

2026 Contenders: Although it lost a pair of first team all-state players from a season ago, Ellinwood brings back several key pieces as the Eagles try for their second consecutive state title. Gone are all-state hitters Regan Widener, the 2A Player of the Year, along with Kyndal Moore, but the Eagles are hoping to fly high once again. Senior Alyvia Batchman, another all-state first teamer returns as a 6-rotation player as both a setter and a hitter, She recorded 457 assists, 206 digs and 177 kills last season and has a career 1,277 assists. Bennett Jacobs, a 4-year starter for the Eagles, returns as their defensive anchor as she nears 1,000 digs for her career and was honorable mention all-state last year. Junior Mette Maxwell set Ellinwood’s single season aces record with 91. She joins Batchman as the team’s other setter and tallied 605 assists and 243 digs to go along with 243 kills as an attacked. She earned second team all-state honors. After finishing as the state runner-up the last two seasons, Valley Heights will try to make that next step this season. During that span, setter Paige Miller has run the Mustangs’ offense and they have thrived during that time. She had 947 assists last season and has 1,807 for her career. She earned second team all-state honors and will have a new cast of hitters this season as the Mustangs lost their top three weapons at the net. Hillsboro, which won state titles in 2022 and 2023, return all-state first teamer Amyah Werth as she has been the team’s starting libero the last three years. This season she will make the move to outside hitter as she tries to replace graduated Kingzley Ratzlaff, who was also a first team all-state player. Annalie Bell and Taylor Schrick will try and lead Jefferson County North back to state after the Chargers’ fourth place finish. Schrick was a second team all-state selection as a junior with 410 kills and 403 digs, while Bell has started since her freshman year as the team’s setter and is closing in on 1,500 career assists as they helped the Chargers go undefeated in league play. Rossville has hopes of a state run this season thanks in part to the return of Nora Burdiek and Kenna Perine. Burdiek has been a force at the net for the Bulldawgs as she was a first team all-state selection last season after posting a career high 596 kills and 403 digs last season. As for Perine, she had a big freshman season as the team’s starting setter with 982 assists to go along with 288 digs. Also coming back for Rossville is starting libero Ady Henry, who ended last season with 542 digs. Syracuse returns a pair of outside hitters in Sophie Gould and Hailey Hampton, who are both first team all-Hi Plains League players, as it hopes to take the next step. Moundridge will be led by a 3-time All-Heart of America League selection in Hattie Hecox, who was also an honorable mention all-state player last season with 322 kills and 347 digs. Despite losing several starters from last season’s state team, Humboldt returns all-league setter Lakyn Meadows as she is closing in on 1,000 career assists. Lairen Pauly helped Conway Springs ended a 20-year state tournament drought and is back after first team all-league performance with team highs in kills (280), aces (62) and blocks (30). Horton will return a trio of players in hopes of making a trip to the state tournament as it brings back first team all-league players Kirsten Smith, Bobbi Becker and Ellah Stirton. Stirton has been the team’s libero the last two seasons as had a team-high 321 digs, while she feed of Smith and Becker as the team’s top outside hitters. Smith led the Chargers with 204 kills last season and had 213 digs, while Becker had 186 kills to go along with 212 digs and 43 aces. TMP-Marian returns setter and attacker Bria Windholz as she earned first team all-league honors with 272 kills, 316 assists, 336 digs and 64 aces, along with teammate Brynn Rebel, who was also a first team all-league selection and is a four-year starting libero. Oakley recorded its second straight state berth last season and brings back all-state player Alexa Weiser in hopes of a third straight trip. The setter/outside hitter, recorded 386 kills, 312 assists, 252 digs and 65 aces last season to lead Oakley.  

 

KSHSAA Volleyball Player To Watch in 2026

 A force at the net since her freshman year in 2023, Burdiek showed no lingering effects last fall of a knee injury that cut short her sophomore basketball season. In fact, Burdiek came back better than ever. Rossville’s primary weapon, Burdiek recorded a career-high 596 kills a year ago – more than 400 more than any other Bulldawg. She had a career-best .251 hitting percentage with a 36.0 kill percentage in leading Rossville to the Class 2A state tournament. Burdiek also recorded a career-high 403 digs. With 1,395 career kills and 952 career digs, she’s closing in on milestones for both stat categories. Burdiek earned first-team All-Class 2A honors for the second straight year and All-Big East League honors for the third year, moving up from the second to first team last fall.

Volleyball Team Begins Season Aug. 27

The RHS girls begin their 2026 volleyall seaon on Aug. 29 at 9:00 AM 

Lady Dawg Golf 3rd At Jeff West Inv.

The Lady Dawg Golfers have started off the season with a 3rd place finish  Aug 27 at the Jefff Co West Open at the Forbes Field Course. Individual placers include Nora Mitchell and Reese Olejnik in a Tie at 14th.  Maya Donovan finished in 8th and Elley Sanders tied for 5th. 

Mary Jane Atkin Passes Away

Mary Jane Akin of Silver Lake, Kansas, born on January 23, 1953, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on August 23, 2026, at St. Luke's Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri, following a fierce battle with relapsed Non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphoma. She lived a full life and her memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. Services will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys, Kansas on Tuesday September 1, 2026, starting with a Rosary at 9:30am, Mass at 10am and burial immediately following in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Lovingly known as Jane from the "Jean & Jane" identical twin duo, she lived her life with eternal optimism, faith, hope, love and laughter. Her greatest passion in life was raising her 3 daughters and later helping with her grandchildren that she loved "A Bushel and a Peck and a Hug around the Neck!" You would often hear her greet you with "Good morning Sunshine!" She spent many years committed to serving others in roles like Dental Hygienist with Dr. Eugene McKenzie in St. Marys and Paraprofessional to many growing kids in the Silver Lake school district. She simply had the kindness and patience for all children. 

When her time was not occupied by grandkids, she enjoyed getting out of the house and working at the liquor store where she would talk to anyone and everyone about whatever! She just enjoyed people in general. Mary Jane had several other hobbies like crochet, gardening, thrifting, square dancing and cooking delicious meals from scratch-which is a skill that she passed on to her daughters. Jane embraced life's challenges with strength and resilience, including her remarkable journey as a survivor of a stem cell transplant in May 2008, losing her dear husband Don in an accident in 2010 and most recently facing the relapse of lymphoma. She took it in stride and had the most positive outlook through it all. Jane really enjoyed the ice breaker with the nurses and drs of her favorite Buc-cee's blanket that she took everywhere being cold all the time from chemo treatments. It provided new conversations, laughter and sparked good memories of a trip taken with loved ones. 

Travel became a cherished part of her life. She created lasting memories on family vacations to Amway conventions, a stunning trip to Hawaii, a memorable journey through Kentucky bourbon country to dip her own Maker's Mark bottle, Niagara Falls, Arlington National Cemetery and National Monuments in Washington DC, Camp Indie as well as a special trip to London England-all in which she embraced new experiences and adventures.

Jane's kindness, strength, and joyous zest for life will live on in the hearts of her daughters, family, and friends but she leaves us with her favorite mantra: RELAX God is in control!

Jane is survived by her 3 daughters Nikki (Wes) Thompson, Tonya (Kevin) Olson and Jacinta (Brandon) Justice; 6 grandchildren Brodie, Daisey, Brealynn, Grayson, Jackson and Henry; brothers and sisters Marvin, Lucille, Mary Jean, Karen, Louise, Phyllis, Fred, Delores, Alice, John and many more in-loves and countless nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Don, parents Jim and Henrietta, brothers Clyde and Charles, and granddaughter Gwendolyn Jane.

Darrel Rezac Passes Away

Darrel Dean Rezac, 85, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2026, at his home in Rossville, Kansas, the home he built himself, with his son at his side. Told his cancer would take him far sooner, he beat the prognosis by more than a year, which surprised no one who knew him.

Darrel was born October 29, 1940, in Rossville, Kansas, to Ernest W. and Ruby V. (Steele) Rezac, and graduated from Rossville High School in 1958.

Darrel served in the United States Army with the Army Intelligence Service. His service took him to Fort Monmouth, Fort Hood, and Shemya Air Force Base (now Eareckson Air Station) in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. He completed his enlisted service as a Specialist 5.

Following his service in the Army, Darrel began a career with IBM in Colorado, then left to found his own business, REZCO, in Grand Junction. He retired and came home to Rossville in 1991, where he worked exactly as much as he wanted to, helping neighbors and friends on their farms and ranches or fixing whatever no one else could figure out. Mostly, though, he spent his time raising his son.

Darrel was a lifetime member of Sertoma International, a member of the American Legion, and served Ducks Unlimited as a chapter chairman in both Colorado and Kansas. He was a passionate outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, and hiking, and never went far without a good dog at his side. As there was very little he could not build, repair, or improve, his shop was a well-known destination for years. He had an enormous personality and was, as his family will tell you, seldom wrong and never in doubt.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest W. Rezac and Ruby V. Rezac, and his brother, Ernest E. Rezac. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, DJ and Mika Rezac; his grandson, Mack Rezac; his nephew, David Rezac; and his niece, Janis Prior, all of Rossville.

Per Darrel's wishes, there will be no formal funeral service. A celebration of life will be held at a date to be announced.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Rossville American Legion or the Rossville High School FFA.

John Lyhtle Passes Away

John C. Lytle, 83, was born November 5, 1942 in Wamego, KS and died August 15, 2026 in Topeka, KS. John was the oldest son of Clinton M Lytle and Jessie M (Anderson) Lytle. He was preceded in death by his parents.

John attended school in St. Mary's, KS and moved to Rossville, KS with his parents in 1962. 

He is survived by two brothers Gene (Rosa) Lytle and Calvin (Helen) Lytle all of Rossville. Four nieces and a nephew.

John worked construction jobs with his father in his younger years. The past years he has collected and sold aluminum cans.

John enjoyed hunting and fishing, visiting with his friends at the grocery store in Rossville and the American Legion. John was a people person. He loved playing bingo, cards and working on puzzles.

John was cremated and at his request, no funeral services will be held. Burial will be private.

Diana Magee Passs Away

Diana Kay Magee (Mitchell) passed away late on August 14, 2026, at Silverado Memory Care in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She was 77 years old.

Diana was born July 10, 1949, in Rossville, Kansas, to Theodore and Honora Mitchell (Karnowski). She was the second of four children, along with her siblings Daryl, Debbie, and Darwin Mitchell. She grew up surrounded by an extraordinarily large extended family. With both of her parents coming from large families, Diana at one time had nearly 90 first cousins.

Following high school, Diana attended radiology school at the University of Kansas and began what would become a long and accomplished career as an X-ray technologist. She was exceptionally skilled at what she did, spending much of her career assisting physicians during surgical procedures. She took great pride in her work and was respected for her knowledge, precision, and ability. She continued working until her retirement in 2021.

Her career also gave her a few stories worth telling. A lifelong and devoted Kansas Jayhawks basketball fan, Diana performed X-rays for members of the KU basketball team during the Roy Williams era. Over the years, she also had the opportunity to work with a number of Kansas City Chiefs players. For someone who loved her Jayhawks and Chiefs, those moments were pretty special.

But as accomplished as Diana was in her career, family was the center of her world. She was married to Harry I. Magee for 57 years. Together they built a life, a family, and decades of memories before Harry passed away in January of this year. Just seven months and seven days later, Diana followed him.

Diana was the mother of Heather Magee, her eldest, and Patrick Magee, her youngest. Her only grandchild, Bridgett Neff-Hickman, held an enormous place in her heart, and the arrival of her great-grandson, Roman Hickman, brought her another beautiful title: great-grandmother. Bridgett and Roman were the absolute stars of her eyes.

Joseph Lewis Passes Away

 Joseph Lee Lewis, 27, of Rossville, Kansas died Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in his home.

He was born September 23, 1998 in El Paso, Texas the son of Jason Lee Lewis and Rosemary (Johnson) Lewis. Born into a military family, he moved frequently until he graduated from McLouth High School with the class of 2017.

Obituary of Ronda Mullin Who Died in 2011

Ronda Mullin of Rossville died in 2011 but I did not see her obituary until now  You can read it at:

https://piperfuneralhome.store.helloflowers.com/obituaries/Ronda-Muller/#!/Obituary

Obituary of Joseph Biggs, Sr. Who Died In 2011.

Former Rossville resident Joseph Biggs died in 2011 but I was not informed about his obituary at that time.

You can read the obituary at:

Obituary Joseph Biggs, sr.

Rita Perine Passes Away

Rita A. Perine, born on December 4, 1951, in Saint Marys, Kansas, passed away on August 9, 2026, in Auburn, Kansas. She was a dedicated Licensed Practical Nurse, proudly serving at Rossville Valley Manor for many years before transitioning to a pharmacy technician role at Doug's Pharmacy in Rossville, where she worked alongside her late husband, Doug. Rita's commitment to her profession was unwavering, as she continued to make deliveries for the pharmacy until the last few months of her life.Rita cherished her time spent at Lake Wabaunsee, where she and Doug owned a home. 

She loved being surrounded by her family, relishing moments with her daughter, Jennifer and son, Jason, and her daughters-in-law, Erin Sowers and Shanna Perine. She took great joy in the company of her grandchildren-Terrence, Jessica, Tyree, De'Andre, Kade, Kinsey, and Kenna-as well as her three great-grandchildren. Rita's passion for family gatherings was complemented by her love for watching sports, playing cards, and keeping up with her favorite game shows. She also enjoyed side-by-side rides and the thrill of hunting for morel mushrooms and wild asparagus.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Doug Perine and her parents, Albert and Eleanor Baumchen.

A graveside service will be held in Rita's honor at the Rossville Cemetery on August 14, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Rita will be remembered for her nurturing spirit, vibrant personality, and the love she shared with her family and friends.

In lieu of memorial contributions, please honor Rita by spending time with those you love. 

Loyd Williams Has Passed Away

 

Loyd “Wayne” Williams, 82, of Topeka, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2026.

He was born February 16, 1944, in Gatewood, Missouri, the son of Glen and Anna Mae (Clayton) Cullison. He graduated from Rossville High School. After high school, Wayne proudly served his country in the United States Air Force.

Wayne retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber. Following his retirement, he formed a trucking business with his son, Patrick, called Ranger Trucking.

Wayne married Patricia Lewis on May 8th, 1997

He had a love for the outdoors. Wayne enjoyed camping and hunting, but fishing really was one of his favorite hobbies. He fished in many tournaments with his son, Patrick, through the years. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles and toured all over the country with his wife, Patricia. Wayne also enjoyed Country Western Music and going dancing. He was a member of the United Steel Workers #307.

He is survived by his son, Patrick (Becky) Williams; his four step-children, George Stevenson Jr., Audra Stevenson, Joseph (Rachel) Stevenson and Jack (Brittany) Stevenson; numerous beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren and one brother, Michael (Beth) Culllison. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia and his parents.

His family will greet friends and relatives from 12:00pm-1:30pm on Friday, August 21, 2026 at Parker Price and Davidson Funeral Home, 245 NW Independence Ave., Topeka, KS 66608. A graveside funeral service with Military Honors will take place at 2:00pm at Memorial Park Cemetery, 3616 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66606. Memorial contributions may be made to CAT Association of Topeka 1719 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka, KS 66604.

Linda Geffert Passes Away

.Linda Gayle Geffert of Rossville passed away on August 2, 2026 at the age of 83.  

Linda will be remembered for the impact she had on the lives of those around her. Friends, family, and colleagues will cherish their memories and the time shared. Those who knew Linda will remember moments of kindness, warmth, and presence. Though words cannot fully capture her life, the legacy of connections and experiences remains. Linda’s absence will be deeply felt by those who valued her companionship.

She was predeceased by: her parents, Albert Geffert and Helen Geffert (Koch); her brother Bill Geffert; her sister-in-law Nelda Geffert (Glenn Geffert) of Haven, KS; her sister Dorothy Thomas; and her brother-in-law Ray Thomas of Jackson Michigan.

She is survived by: her nephews, Greg Thomas of Spokane, WA, Randy Thomas of Jackson Michigan, Mark Thomas and Ray Geffert of Haven, KS..

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rossville Library, 407 Main St, Rossville, KS 66533 or any animal shelter of choice.