‘We could've gone so far’: Argonia High volleyball players devastated after rule confusion ends season early

ARGONIA, Kan. (KSNW) - A high school volleyball team in Sumner County is caught in the middle of a rule confusion, and it's costing them their postseason.

Argonia High School says it's a matter of the rule slipped by school officials, who didn't realize it, and the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) didn't check it. When it was brought to their attention, they checked, and that's when this all started. Now, student-athletes are left with their season suddenly gone.

The players are devastated that their team is out of the postseason.

"We thought the other team was just late. Like we didn't know anything. And then we just got the bomb dropped on us," Argonia senior Tori Morrison said.

"We're very upset and frustrated with the whole situation. We could've gone so far, and we had so much potential, and it just came to an end so soon," Argonia sophomore Linden Greve said.

KSHSAA blew the whistle, saying the team went over its match limit.

"You're allowed 36 points and 40 matches maximum, so each event is categorized differently in volleyball," Jeremy Holaday, the director of KSHSAA, said. "So, how you structure your schedule within volleyball will add up those points to a maximum of 36."

Dr. Rustin Clark, Argonia's superintendent, is not denying that the district didn't follow the rule, but says there is a good reason they were unaware.

"It was the case where ultimately we were responsible as a district to check that, but since we've used the same schedule for so long, nobody bothered to check it," he said. "We broke the rule, it's just we did it inadvertently, we didn't realize we were doing that."

The district appealed the season-ending misunderstanding, feeling that the punishment was a bit harsh for the crime.

"We just feel the consequence was a little more severe than certainly what we were expecting," Clark said.

KSHSAA ultimately upheld its decision to end the Raiders' season.

"I'm sorry that it came to this. It's not something that anyone would enjoy by any stretch of the imagination. You know, we understand the work that they've put in and where they've gotten to this season, and unfortunately, we look out for the interest of all students at all times," Holaday said.

Despite not finishing what they started, the Argonia Lady Raiders are staying positive.

"Like this team has just taught me so much. And I never thought in a million years that we wouldn't have even got to play our regional game. So I just don't take anything for granted," Morrison said.

Clark says the mistake won't happen again, as the school will make sure that all other activities are double-checked and compliant.