FREDONIA — The Wellsville High School athletes always believe they can make a run in the postseason, no matter how the regular season went.

The Eagle volleyball team recovered from a mid-season swoon to finish the regular season on a run and continued it Saturday in the Fredonia sub-state.

FREDONIA — The Wellsville High School athletes always believe they can make a run in the postseason, no matter how the regular season went.

The Eagle volleyball team recovered from a mid-season swoon to finish the regular season on a run and continued it Saturday in the Fredonia sub-state.

Wellsville won all three matches for a return trip to Salina for the 3A state tournament. The Eagles (25-15) are the seventh seed and open pool play 3:30 p.m. Friday against defending state champion Hillsboro (37-3).

Wellsville plays 6:30 p.m. vs. Southeast of Cherokee (34-5) and close out pool against sixth-seeded Silver Lake (29-8) at 7:30 p.m. The top two teams in each pool advance to Saturday’s semifinals.

“I can’t thank our fans enough and their enthusiasm and ‘we believe’ attitude really was a factor in helping our team pull out these wins,” Wellsville coach Eric Evans said.

Wellsville defeated Humboldt (25-9, 25-15), Central Heights 25-13, 25-18) and Burlington (19-25, 26-24, 25-21).

It was the second straight win over Burlington for the Eagles.

“The girls showed a lot of heart in winning three in a row against tough competition and to be crowned sub-state champs and earn a trip to Salina,” Evans said.

Wellsville won 15 of its past 19 matches after going 10-11 through September.

Wellsville won the Anderson County Invitational a week ago, topping second-ranked Burlington in the championship match.

The Eagles are familiar with the state tournament format. Wellsville went 2-1 in pool play last year and lost the tiebreaker to advance to the semifinal round.

Stat leaders

Erica McTaggart: 22 kills, 6 aces, 2.65 serve-receive.

Darcy Bonzo: 65 assists, 100 percent serving.

Ashley Sparks: 36 kills, 34 digs.