EL DORADO — No. 9 state-ranked Great Bend (27-2) swept five consecutive matches to capture the El Dorado volleyball tournament. The Panthers have a 19-match winning streak and own the best 5A Western record and would play at home in postseason.

The Panthers downed Chanute 25-14, 19-25, 25-17 in a tight 3-set semifinal  and downed Valley Center 25-18, 25-19 in the championship match. 

 Against Valley Center, Cassie Ellegood delivered seven winners, three blocks. Kya Behr had 45 assists and six winners. Alex Mayers provided 17 serves and Mikala Minton had 10 serves received and 10 serves. Ava Kaiser had 16 digs and 10 serves received.

Against Chanute, Kara Feist hit 13 winners. Cassie Ellegood hit 14 serves, 12 winners. Kaiser had 16, digs, 14 serves. Mayers delivered 17 digs and 11 served received. Behr delivered 33 assists. Kimmie Hofflinger had 13 serves received.

Great Bend defeated Arkansas City, 25-20, 25-20; Wichita West 25-12, 25-15; and Buhler 23-25, 25-12, 25-12; in pool play.

"Bracket play was very competitive with Chanute and Valley Center," said Great Bend volleyball coach Shelly Duvall. "Our girls didn't let a ball hit the floor and played until the very end. It's so fun seeing what they can do when they lock in."

The Panthers faced some tall defenders during the weekend.

"It's size that we haven't seen yet this season so it was fun to see our girls compete against some height," she said. "We saw some very good teams. Each girl played their position. They had one goal and that was to come home with five wins. And they did it."

5A STATE RANKINGS—1—Topeka Seaman 26-2; 2—Lenexa St. James 22-4; 3—St. Thomas Aquinas 24-3; 4—Blue Valley SW 26-5; 5—Andover High 23-2; 6—Andover Central 27-6; 7—Wichita Kapaun-Mt. Carmel 27-6; 8—Wichita Carroll 19-6; 9—Great Bend 27-2; 10—Lansing 20-13