Panthers reload for 2024 season
BY JIM MISUNAS
Great Bend swept its first Western Athletic Conference volleyball championship under coach Shelly Duvall for the school’s sixth title and first WAC championship in 20 years. Garden City has won 10 of the past 13 Western Athletic titles.
Great Bend (31-5) broke a school record for wins. Despite brilliant all-court play by freshman Kya Behr and lefthander Kara Feist, Andover outlasted the Panthers 25-19, 25-16, 23-25 for a 5A state tournament berth. Great Bend defeated Salina Central, 25-16, 25-21 in the regional semifinals.
Western Athletic Coach of the Year Duvall believes the Panthers will be competitive in the Western Athletic and will be prepared for postseason play in October.
First-team All-Western Athletic Behr (589 assists, 359 serves, 309 digs, 159 winners, 117 serves received, 32 blocks) delivered all-around play. First-team All-WAC Kara Feist (254 serves, 216 winners, 78 blocks, 68 digs) and hard-hitting Cassie Ellegood (230 winners, 67 blocks) provide firepower.
“Kya Behr, Cassie Ellegood and Kara Feist and Kya Behr set the tone with their intensity and ability to run a fast court,” Duvall said. “They lead by example. They constantly push our younger players to rise to a new level.”
Seniors Addy Irwin and Josephine Mazouch are defensive specialists who will earn court time in the back row.
Returning standout Denver Ringo (82 winners, 65 digs, 29 serves received) will be sidelined with an knee injury.
“We lost Denver Ringo to a torn ACL and meniscus at our team camp,” Duvall said. “That’s a major blow for us. Denver would’ve been a 6-rotation player.”
Ava Kaiser will spark the back-row defense.
“Ava Kaiser will be our Libero. Duvall said. “Duvall, Meredith Mazouch and Kimmy Hofflinger have worked hard learning our defensive systems. They’ve using quality reps that will pay off.”
Alex Mayers, Mikala Minton and Micah Ellegood add depth to the front row attack. ‘
“Micah Ellegood has a natural blocking ability,” she said. “Alex Mayers and Miklaka Minton are impressive with their front row play. Mikala has amazing hands and will see setting time with our junior varsity team.”
PANTHER VARSITY
2—Cassie Ellegood, 5-10, MH/OH, 12
3—Josephine Mazouch, DS, 12
7—Micah Ellegood, MB/RS, 9
10— Kimmy Hofflinger, 5-6, OH, 11
12— Ava Kaiser, 5-7, L/DS, 11
15—Kara Feist, 5-9, OH, 12
17—Kya Behr, 5-9, S/OH, 10
22—Addy Irwin, 5-3, S, 12
23—Alex Mayers, MH/OH, 10
24—Meredith Mazouch, S, 10
JUNIOR VARSITY (Coach Jordahn Barton)—4—Brooklyn Kelly, MB/OH, 9; 5—Katherine Mazouch, 5-9, OH/RS, 11; 6—Remmi Burkes, Libero, 10; 8—Baylie Kelly, OH, 9; 13—Chayla Prendergast, MB, 10; 16— Allie Gerhardt, 5-5 OH, 11; 24—Meredith Mazouch, S, 10; 32—Kortney Leech, OH, 10; 33—Mikayla Minton, S/RS, 9
C TEAM (Coach Jennifer Davis)—18—Paige Trendel, MB/RS; 20—Lanie Haselhorst, S; 28—Lydia Schaub, MB; 29—Karys Leu, OH; 31—Shatarah Newton, MB; 35—Abbie Meyer, Libero; 36—Raelynn Rowe, DS; 38—Callie Umphres, OH; 39—Jaci Morris, RS/MB
PANTHER SCHEDULE
8-29—Great Bend Jamboree
9-5—*at Garden City
9-10—*at Dodge City
9-14—at Riley County Tournament; at Scott City JV
9-17—at Manhattan/Hays High
9-21—at Salina Central JV Tournament
9-24—Junction City
9-26—Goddard/Hutchinson
9-28—at Great Bend JV Tournament
10-3—*Dodge City
10-5—Great Bend Tournament
10-8—at Haysville, Goddard Eisenhower
10-10—Hillsboro/Emporia
10-12—at El Dorado Tournament
10-15—at Smith Center/Phillipsburg
10-19—WAC at Garden City
10-26—at 5A substate
11-2—at 5A state, Topeka
