It was a match the Barton volleyball team was definitely looking to win. It was a match the Cougars needed if they want to start their climb back to the top half of the Jayhawk West standings.
Barton didn’t disappoint.
The Cougars rolled to an easy win over Garden City Saturday afternoon at the Barton Gym in straight sets. Barton was pushed in only one set as the Cougars won the West contest, 25-12, 25-12, 30-28.
Barton is now 2-5 in the West and 10-10 overall as the season reaches the midway point. Garden City is 1-4 and 3-15.
Barton has a chance to continue its quest to move up the standings in its next three matches as the Cougars travel to Dodge City then host Butler and Pratt. Those are three teams immediately ahead of the Cougars in the standings.
Saturday in the win over Garden City, Barton used an 8-0 run in the first set to take a 14-8 lead and rolled by the Broncbusters in the opening set.
In the second set, Barton led most of the way before closing with a 9-1 run to match the 25-12 win of the opening set.
The Cougars had to work in the final set for the sweep. The teams traded the lead several times and Barton even found itself down three late in the set at 19-16.
Monique Oliveira saved a match point with Barton down 26-25 with a kill then added another kill to put the Cougars on the verge of the win.
But Barton wasn’t able to close it out for a few more points, eventually taking the 30-28 win.
The Cougars had a balanced attack during the afternoon hitting the ball. No Cougar had double digit kills but six had at least five as Barton collected 38 kills to just 10 errors in the win.
Oliveira and Laine Conceicao led Barton with seven kills. Kate Deterding, Kelsie Antcliff and Averie Warehime all finished with six kills while Kailey Harris added five.
Kaila Harris led Barton with 13 assist followed by Carolina Goncalves with 12. Kaila Harris and Deterding both led the Cougars with 13 digs. Kassi Gratton finished with 12 and Oliveira 11.
Warehime finished with six blocks and Deterding six services aces.
The Cougars head to Dodge City Wednesday to take on a Conquistador team that is 2-4 in the West and 12-7 overall. Butler visits the Barton Gym Saturday. The Grizzlies, winners over Barton earlier in the year in El Dorado, are currently 4-3 in the West and 13-6 overall.