Behind 22 kills from Addy Hughes, the Chanute Blue Comets opened the 2025 volleyball season with a 3-1 win in a home dual over the Riverton Rams on Tuesday.
“First of all, Riverton is a really good, scrappy team,” Chanute head coach Jory Murry said. “Their libero is unreal. They took it to the next level. So we learned a lot about ourselves and what we needed to change. We were able to make changes right away and they made it happen.”
In addition to Hughes’ 22 kills, Josey Henson added 19 while Brynna Peter had nine.
Tuesday’s season opener was the first litmus test to Chanute’s new dynamic — senior Kiley Dillow, a front row contributor at the net last year, shifted to a libero role due to a shoulder injury.
“I knew I was going to have super strong middles and a libero who can read the court,” Murry said. “What I wasn’t sure about was our outsides. But they did a fantastic job. They know how to use the block to their advantage. They read the court well. Having aggressive hitters on the outside allows us to be successful. It makes a big difference.”
Chanute’s season-opening victory was the first insight to a club defending three SEK League titles — but still seeking a state tournament berth.
“Everybody’s been asking how we’re looking,” Murry said. “Tonight, everybody got to see what they’re capable of and what their potential is.”
Up next
Chanute gets a week off before hosting Pittsburg on Thursday.
“We have to continue to be smarter,” Murry said. “We want to work smarter and not harder. There was a play that Riverton did where they served a ball short in our serve-receive, we got a pass over and they sent the ball right back over. We want our girls to play more strategically, just like that.”
