KEARNEY, Neb. —  Ellinwood native Mya Maxwell, an all-state standout for the Eagles, has enjoyed serving as a student assistant volleyball coach at NCAA tournament bound Kearney State.

The preseason No. 3 ranked Lopers shared the regular season MIAA title. Kearney State captured the MIAA Volleyball Tournament championship, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Division 2 tournament. Kearney State will host the Central Volleyball Regional Dec. 4-6.

Maxwell has spent the past three seasons as a student assistant under Kearney State coach Rick Squiers.

Maxwell’s journey from Ellinwood to Kearney’s bench reflects both ambition and heart. Her contributions during three years as an assistant coach have complemented the program’s continued success as she has learned from some of the best coach’s in Division 2.

Maxwell is on target to graduate with a degree in health and physical education—capping a chapter that blends her love of the game with her passion for teaching.

Maxwell will offer a wealth of knowledge and experience to her future coaching opportunity.

With home-court advantage for the regional and momentum from the conference crown, UNK is in position to make a deep postseason run—and Ellinwood is cheering them on.

Ellinwood—and the broader Barton County community—will be watch proudly as she helps guide the Lopers into the national spotlight. 

Other notable Barton County athletes who competed in the MIAA tournament are Ellinwood's Kennedy Behnke and Central Plains Oiler Kassidy Nixon at Pittsburg State.

Next season, Ellinwood volleyball all-staters Regan Widener (Fort Hays State) and Kyndal Moore (Emporia State) will compete in the MIAA.