BY BRETT MARSHALL

Winning never gets tiring for Great Bend volleyball coach Shelly Duvall, but she knows winning the Western Athletic Conference for the third straight year has set the Panthers up for postseason success.

WAC Coach of the Year Duvall has compiled a 195-84 record in the past eight years, highlighted by back-to-back 5A state tournament appearances.

Last year's record-breaking 30-2 record ended at the 5A state tournament with an 0-3 pool record. The Panthers lost in three sets to 

to Wichita Kapaun Mt. Carmel and Andover High and a 2-setter against Lenexa St. James.

"We had to change our schedule see better teams from the East to compete better at state," Duvall said. 

The Panthers achieved their first goal by winning the WAC title Oct. 18 at home. Garden City and Liberal pushed the Panthers to three sets.

Great Bend returned to the 5A state tournament with wins over Valley Center (25-20, 25-20) and Andover Central (25-19, 25-19).

Duvall believed the No. 6 seeded Panthers had a goal of qualifying for the 5A state semifinals.

Blue Valley Southwest knocked off the Panthers 25-11, 25-10 before the Panthers surprised No. 2 seeded Maize South 13-25, 26-24, 25-20 in their best match of the season. Kapaun Mt. Carmel spoiled the Panthers' semifinal hopes with a 27-29, 25-18, 25-21 victory. 

The Panthers (28-11) faced their turning point competing at the Topeka Washburn Rural Invitational.

The Panthers (9-5)  pushed Blue Valley and Washburn Rural to three sets and lost to Lenexa St. James, Manhattan in two sets.

Great Bend (27-9) reeled off 18 consecutive match victories after starting 9-9.

“We played teams at Washburn Rural that we’re not familiar with out West,” Duvall said. “Despite the losses, we learned from that tournament. Everybody at that level runs things faster and we learned what we needed to do to get better.”

Duvall said her 2025 edition is perhaps a more well-rounded team, with solid players on the front row, back row, middle and strong in the serve-receive area.

“In the past we’ve had more power hitters, but we’re strong in the front row and good in the back,” Duvall said. “There is a high volleyball IQ with this group.”

The team revolves around 5-10 junior setter Kya Behr, who was named WAC Player of the Year who has passed the 2,000-assist mark.

“With her playing all six rotations, it gives us a steady hand,” Duvall said of Behr. “Our outsides play all six rotations, too, and we have a defensive specialist who can play front row. Our bench is just as strong when they’re on the court.”

Duvall had high praise for the team’s personality and ability to switch from relaxed well ahead of matches to being focused on the challenge once warm-ups begin and then when the first serve is made.

“They’ll do other things to relax ahead of matches,” Duvall said. “They’re cool as cucumbers, and they’ve already trained by studying film and they are an even-keel group.”

Duvall stresses to her squad to play in small increments of five-points – wanting to be the first to five, the first to 10 and then the first to 15. From, there it becomes a race to 25.

“At that point of a match, it’s a push and we play a game to 10,” Duvall said of the 15 to 25 strategy.

Duvall said she's proud of the hard work and determination that her squad has put in over the past number of months.

“They love what they’re doing, and they find ways to relax and enjoy the game,” Duvall said. “I often believe that when you overthink things, the game becomes unfun. Having lost some great seniors in 2024, this year has been awesome with a younger team.”

Earning second-team honors were versatile Panthers Mikala Minton (308 digs, 305 serves received, 288 serves, 285 winners) and Alex Mayers (342 serves, 319 serves received, 283 digs, 234 winners).

Joining Behr on the all-WAC first team were Hays High's Annie Humphrey, Liberal's Shamari Lewis and Garden City's Charly Vollertsen and Josslynn George.

FIRST TEAM ALL-WAC

GARDEN CITY—Charly Vollertsen, 10; Josslyn George, 10

GREAT BEND—Kya Behr, 11

LIBERAL—Shamari Lewis, 12

DODGE CITY—Piper Mellinger, 12

HAYS—Annie Humphrey, 12

PLAYER OF YEAR—Kya Behr, Great Bend

COACH OF YEAR—Shelly Duvall, Great Bend

SECOND TEAM ALL-WAC

GREAT BEND—Mikala Minton, 10; Alex Mayers, 11

HAYS—Lynsi Kanak, 11, Brooke Bieker, 11

DODGE CITY—Madison Mink, 11

GARDEN CITY—Livi Meng, 11