'Focus' is key: Redemption for Pretty Prairie volleyball a driving factor in commanding season so far

BURRTON – There may not be a more fun and entertaining volleyball team to watch in Class 1A Div. I than the Pretty Prairie Bulldogs.

With the postseason just a few weeks away, the Bulldogs are 15-4 as they look to close out the year with the dominant play they have been displaying all season long. Focus has been of the driving forces in Pretty Prairie's volleyball journey this season, and they have kept themselves in check, earning the top-ranked spot in their 1A Div. I for the last week. 

The good thing for the Bulldogs is their only losses have come to some of the other top teams in the smaller classes, including second-ranked Argonia-Attica in 1A Div. II and seventh-ranked Central Christian.

But the Bulldogs handle their business on a nightly basis, including Tuesday's triangular in Burrton, sweeping the Lady Chargers and South Barber Lady Chieftans. Senior Aubrey Young served from the second to 20th point during a 20-1 run in the first set against South Barber. That match lasted less than a half-hour.

More:Reno County high school volleyball power rankings, Sept. 13

A lot of that has come from the re-emphasized mental side of the game, said head coach Lori Young, who is also Aubrey and junior Bailey Young's mother. 

"The talent is there," coach Young said. "It's just night after night being able to stay focused and continue to play at our level and not go with the level of the teams that we're playing, (which) has been part of it."

More:Pretty Prairie golfer Raegan McLeland leads this week's top high school sports performers

The new mindset comes after the Bulldogs lost in the sub-state final last season to Little River, shocking the team that had aspirations to make it to the state tournament. Although they don't talk about it much, it still sticks in the back of some minds and serves as motivation to hopefully play at the United Wireless Arena in Dodge City in late October.

"We kind of had a big letdown at sub-state last year," Young said, "and that's been our focus this year: to go back, redemption, and stay focused in on the task at hand."

The five seniors on the loaded Pretty Prairie team have played together since third grade and have been coached by Young since middle school. Jorah Harbaugh, one of the five seniors, said they have the capability and chemistry to make that run to state through the obstacles they have faced. Allison Colton, part of that group, is also an additional force who can provide a spark offensively and defensively.

"I think this year we've really put everything together mentally," Harbaugh said. "As we've gone from third grade to senior year, I feel and think we've really put everything together and started working as a team really well."

Another senior, McKenna Vogl, is a high-flying hitter. She and fellow senior Grace Webster are a one-two punch with the quick attack. Vogl said the height and strength up front have been critical to their offensive attack. Even Harbaugh, a 5-foot-5 hitter, can leap into the air.

"We've got really good athletes that can play all the way around," Vogl said. "Just having that strong ability and strong mindset is almost everything."

More:Here are the Kansas high school state football rankings for Week 4

Having an undefeated volleyball season in their eighth-grade year, the senior group already knows how it feels to win. To win a state title, let alone make it to the state tournament, would be something not done in a long time at Pretty Prairie.

"I know for some of us it would definitely be more of a dream just to get there," Vogl said, "and be playing at the high level because we've all had the same dream since we were little. It'd just be great to all get there."

"It's a dream to get there, but to win it would be awesome," Aubrey Young said. 

Coach Young said taking care of business is step 1 of the process, whether it's on short nights or nights where they go the distance. Again, focus and mentally being locked in will be key.

"Just staying intense in practice," Young said, "and everyone keeping that common goal."

Small but mighty: Jorah Harbaugh

Jorah Harbaugh shines in multiple sports. 

This year, she has taken a big leap in her offensive attack – pun or no pun. Along with Vogl and Webster, Harbaugh is also one of those athletes at the front row who can kill the ball just as hard as Webster does. Her height may not show it, and opponents may not be intimidated by her, but once she's in the air, that can change in an instant.

"This year, she has really turned it on," coach Young said, "and just really hit the ball hard and staying focused."

Harbaugh talked about having power this year that she did not have last season, which has caused the recent climb in her offense.

"I don't really know where it came from, but I like being the short kid who can jump out of the gym and surprise people," Harbaugh said. "I feel like some people underestimate me from my size, and then I come out and I'm like, 'Bam!'"