RILEY -- The Great Bend Panthers captured the Riley County volleyball title by downing No. 10 ranked 4A Clay Center in their second meeting 25-17 15-25, 25-21. Great Bend (8-2) won a trio of 3-set matches in typical exciting fashion. The Panthers won four sets by two points.

Clay Center edged the Panthers 25-23, 25-18 in pool play. Valarie Luna and Rylie Duvall each delivers six winners. Sadie Spray had 14 assists. Macy Nachtigal contributed 16, and Spray and Kyndall Blessing had 11 and 10 digs, respectively.

Great Bend downed St. Marys 26-24, 25-23. Duvall hit seven winners. Luna, Feist, and Makenzie Premer each had five winners. Spray had 23 assists. Blessing had 10 digs.

Great Bend outlasted 2A No. 8 Jefferson North (2A) 25-9, 25-20, 26-24. Premer had seven winners. Luna and Duvall had six winners. Spray finished with 26 assists and three blocks.. Paige Thexton led the defense with 10 digs. Lauryn Davis, Nachtigal, and Spray each had nine digs.

Great Bend downed Chapman 25-12, 17-25, 26-24 in the semifinals.

Great Bend play at Hays High Tuesday.

RILEY COUNTY TOURNAMENT

Great Bend def. Chapman, 25-12, 17-25, 26-24; Clay Center def. Great Bend, 25-23, 25-18; Great Bend def. St. Marys, 26-24, 25-23; Great Bend def. Jefferson North, 25-9, 20-25, 26-24; Great Bend def. Clay Center, 25-17, 15-25, 25-21