When Great Bend (16-11) played its best volleyball of the season, it knocked off 5A Emporia (22-5), which owns the best record in the western half of the state. The Panthers powered past Emporia 28-26, 9-25, 25-13 Thursday at home. Panther Rylie Duvall closed out the first set with two blocks and a winner as the Panthers fought out a pair of set points.
Emporia dominated the second set, but the Panthers returned the favor In the third set. Taryn Warren delivered the final two winners.
If seeds hold true, No. 1 seed Emporia could play Great Bend for a 5A state volleyball berth.
The Panthers won the first set against Central Kansas League leader Hillsboro (21-7), 25-20, but Hillsboro regrouped to sweep the Panthers 25-20, 25-20 with solid play at the net. The Trojans gained advantage when the Panthers made errors to trail 22-15.
The Panthers (16-11) play Phillipsburg and No. 1 state-ranked 2A Smith Center (28-2) Tuesday on the road.
PROJECTED 5A WEST REGIONALS 10/23
1—EMPORIA 22-5 bye; 16—Arkansas City 7-17 vs. 17—Goddard 6-18; 8—Andover Central 22-13 vs. 9—Great Bend 16-11
2—MAIZE SOUTH 19-6 bye; 15—Salina South 11-22 vs. 18—Salina Central 6-18; 7—Andover High 17-9 vs. 10—Hays High 15-13
3—GODDARD EISENHOWER 20-7 vs. 14—Valley Center 9-17; 6—Topeka West 19-8 vs. 11—Maize High 10-11
4—WICHITA CARROLL 16-6 vs. 13—Wichita Kapaun Mt. Carmel 14-17; 5—Topeka Seaman 17-7 vs. 12—Newton 12-14
ELLINWOOD—Ellinwood def. Victoria, 16-25, 25-22, 25-23; Ellinwood def. Otis-Bison, 25-11, 27-25; Victoria def. Otis-Bison, 27-25, 28-26
