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.

"The girls played really well," said Great Bend coach Shelly Duvall. "They were excited to finally be in front of their home crowd. There's something about having the student section down on the floor that hypes up our team. It's so fun to see."

The Panthers (10-9) tuned up for Saturday's home volleyball tournament featuring Salina Central at 9 a.m., Hutchinson 10 a.m, Liberal, and Wichita West 11 a.m. and Newton 1 p.m.

"We're into the bulk of our season as our schedule is pretty back heavy," Duvall said. "We schedule a lot toward the end so we are prepared for postseason."

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 def. Hill City; Hoisington def. Larned; Hill City vs. Larned