TOPEKA, Kan. — The 48th annual KSHSAA State Volleyball Tournament will welcome a new championship host site in 2018. Classes 3A and 4A will compete for trophies at the Hutchinson Sports Arena for the first time.

“The 2018-2019 school year will see a change in our school classification system, which will result in a decrease in the number of tournaments for this state event. With this change, we have explored some of the new venues and upgrades made to other facilities across the state as options for this tournament series,” Cheryl Gleason, KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director & Volleyball Administrator, said. “We are excited about the opportunity to conduct a state volleyball event at the Sports Arena in Hutchinson and the other adjustments made to our tournament locations.”

While the city of Hutchinson and Hutchinson Community College have played host to the state basketball tournament for 75 years and the state football championship at Gowans Stadium since 2006, the first state championship trophy for volleyball will be awarded in Hutchinson this fall.

“Hutchinson Community College is excited to host the 2018 KSHSAA Class 3A & 4A State Volleyball Tournaments. Our experience in hosting 3A football and 3A basketball will benefit us greatly as we prepare to host 16 of the state’s best 3A and 4A volleyball teams. The City of Hutchinson has made a commitment with the renovation of the Hutchinson Sports Arena to bring quality championship-caliber events to our community. The relationship between the KSHSAA, Hutchinson Community College and the City of Hutchinson continues to grow with the addition of this great event,” Josh Gooch, Hutchinson Community College Athletic Director, said.

“We are excited that the Kansas State High School Activities Association has chosen Hutchinson and the Sports Arena as the site for this year’s 3A & 4A State Volleyball Tournament. We can’t wait to welcome these teams to the newly renovated Sports Arena and be able to showcase one of the best volleyball facilities in the state of Kansas,” Holly Leiker, National Sports & Destination Sales Manager for Visit Hutch, said.

The Sports Arena is already host to the NJCAA National Volleyball Tournament for the next two years and the KCAC Conference Volleyball Championships.