GBMS 8th-grade B team places runner-up
First year Great Bend Middle School volleyball coach Peyton Burkhart worked hard to build consistency heading into the Western Athletic Conference Middle School B-team volleyball tournament.
The Panthers battled to the finish with a three-set championship loss to rival Hays Middle School.
The Lady Indians won the opening set 25-23. The Panthers rallied for a 25-22 second set victory. The teams exchanged points the third set before the Indians emerged the winner 15-13.
“For my first year coaching, I couldn’t have asked for a better group of girls,” Burkhart said. “They played every game to the fullest of their ability. I’m proud of the season they had.”
The Panthers’ strong passing led to a semifinal victory over Dodge City Middle School. PASSING—MacKenzie Lindberg 14, Allie Gerhardt 11, Braelyn Turner 6, Eden Ensley 4, Kaitlyn Dreiling 3, Heidi Jording 2. WINNERS—Gerhardt 6, Tatum Anderson 5, Nathalia Gonzalez 4, Turner 2.
The No. 1 seeded Panthers rolled past Liberal Seymour Rogers 25-6, 25-14. SERVING—Lainey Smith 3 aces, Gerhardt 1, Jaselyn Werth 1, Tatum Anderson 1. WINNERS—Gerhardt 3, Anderson 3, Turner 2, Zoey Mayberry 2.
The Panthers cruised past Liberal Eisenhower 25-14, 25-16. Anderson and Gerhardt each served up three aces and Turner and Lindberg one apiece. WINNERS—Turner 4, Gonzalez 3, Gerhardt 2, Mayberry 1.
The Panthers worked hard to down Garden City Ken Henderson 25-7, 25-20. ACES—Gerhardt 3, Turner 2, Lindberg 1. WINNERS—Gerhardt 3, Anderson 3, Werth 2, Gonzalez 2.