The Humboldt High Lady Cubs’ season came to an end on the grandest stage Friday in Dodge City.
After breaking a nearly decade-long drought to qualify for state, the Lady Cubs made their debut Friday but could not advance out of pool play after a trio of losses.
The fourth seed Lady Cubs opened the tournament with a loss in straight sets to fifth seed and soon-to-be third place Hillsboro (32-9) 25-13, 25-16.
Senior outside hitter Ricklyn Hillmon had a team-leading six kills, followed by senior middle hitter Laney Hull with three. Defensively, senior libero Skylar Hottenstein had a team-leading 28 digs, followed by Hull with six, then Hillmon with four.
Needing to finish pool play in the top two to advance, the Lady Cubs faced virtual elimination in the second-round while facing eighth-seed Rossville (22-13). Humboldt rebounded from their opening match loss by taking the first set of their second match 25-19. They lost the subsequent two sets to Rossville 25-19, 25-15.
Hillmon had a team-leading 13 kills, followed by Hull with 12 and freshman outside hitter Jadey Ellis with three.
Hull also registered Humboldt’s only ace and tied junior setter Lakyn Meadows in blocks with one each. Hottenstein had a team-leading 24 digs, followed by freshman defensive specialist Brynna Ellis with 16 and Hull with 13.
Humboldt wrapped up the season with a pair of losses to undefeated Ellinwood, who went on to win the state championship.
Hillmon had a team-leading eight kills, followed by Meadows and Hull with four each. Sophomore setter Bailey Daniels registered Humboldt’s only aces while Hottenstein had a team-leading 17 digs, followed by Meadows with eight and Brynna Ellis with four.
With the loss, the Lady Cubs end their season with a 34-12 record.
They were undefeated while taking the Tri-Valley League title. Officials with the TVL will announce All-TVL recognitions in the coming weeks but state officials did not hesitate in naming Hillmon to the 2A All-State Tournament Team.
Hillmon is among four seniors expected to graduate next spring — including Hottenstein, Hull and opposite side hitter Rylee Woods.
The Lady Cubs will have plenty of holes to fill in 2026, but with more than a few budding incoming juniors and seniors looking to fill the void, a rebuild next season, if necessary, will not take long.
