Great Bend's proud volleyball program confirmed home-court advantage by avenging a setback against Hutchinson High 25-18, 15-25, 25-14 to capture Saturday's Great Bend volleyball invitational. The Panthers (14-9) won four consecutive matches Saturday, beating Salina Central, 25-8, 25-11; Newton, 25-20, 25-19; and Wichita West, 25-7, 25-12.
The Panthers played their best volleyball of the season with a well-balanced performance with multiple players contributing.
In the championship match, Kya Behr contributed 27 assists, 20 serves, 13 digs and Mikayla Minton delivered 19 serves received, 12 winners and 9 digs.
Other contributors were Ava Kaiser 15 serves, Alex Mayers 13 serves, Meredith Mazouch 10 serves received, Stevie Mayers 7 winners, Kimmy Hofflinger 7 digs, Baylie Kelly 5 winners and Micah Ellegood 5 winners.
The Salthawks defeated Great Bend 25-22, 25-13 in Tuesday's triangular meet.
GREAT BEND INVITATIONAL
1ST--Great Bend def. Hutchinson, 25-18, 15-25, 25-14; Great Bend def. Salina Central, 25-8, 25-11; Great Bend def. Newton, 25-20, 25-19; Great Bend def. Wichita West, 25-7, 25-12; Hutchinson def. Salina Central, 25-21, 25-23; Hutchinson def. Newton, 25-12, 25-16; Hutchinson def. Wichita West, 25-8, 25-14; Salina Central def. Newton, 25-23, 16-25, 25-23; Salina Central def. Wichita West, 25-12, 25-9; Newton def. Wichita West, 25-12, 25-9
Panther volleyball tunes up
Great Bend rolled past Dodge City 25-13, 25-20, 25-14 in Thursday's Western Athletic Conference before a raucous home crowd.
Alex Mayers sparked the Panthers with 18 serves, 15 digs, 12 winners and 11 served received in a superb all-court performance. Mikayla Minton backed up Mayers with 13 served received, 11 winners and 10 digs.
Other Panther stats were Kya Behr, 36 assists, 18 serves; Ava Kaiser, 12 serves; Denver Ringo, 2 blocks; Micah Ellegood, 2 blocks.
GREAT BEND—Great Bend def. Dodge City, 25-13, 25-20, 25-14; Great Bend JV def. Dodge City, 25-8, 25-12
LARNED — No. 1 ranked 2A Elliwood outlasted No. 3 3A state-ranked Hoisington 25-15, 20-25, 25-20 in a matchup of state powers.
Ellinwood countered the talent of Division 1 prospect Sofia Simic with a well-balanced offensive and defensive game plan.
LARNED—Ellinwood def. Hoisington, 25-15, 20-25, 25-20; Ellinwood def. Hill City, 25-5, 25-4; Ellinwood def. Larned, 25-8, 25-3; Hoisington vs. Hill City; Hoisington vs. Larned; Hill City vs. Larned
