BY RICK PETERSON, JR.
KSHSAA Covered
Tina Johnson spent nine seasons away from leading a school volleyball program, but still found ways to fuel her passion.
After stepping down as coach at Hutchinson following the 2016 season, Johnson stayed connected to the sport through officiating and club coaching.
When the Great Bend job opened, returning to the bench made too much sense for Johnson to pass up.
“When I got a call last spring from Great Bend, my grandkids live right there, so I got to move home into my own house that I still had. It was a no-brainer,” she said.
“It’s probably every coach’s dream to get to come back and get one more shot, especially at my age,” Johnson added. “I had two choices. I could either have retired or I could come back. I just really appreciate what Great Bend’s given me and the opportunity to try to build a team one more time.”
It’s been a perfect match for Johnson and the Panthers, who carry a 34-3 record and a 19-match winning streak into Thursday's Class 5A state tournament at Overland Park.
Johnson was inducted into the Kansas Volleyball Association Hall of Fame in 2022 as a coach and official.
She coached 24 years at Hoisington before leading Hutchinson from 2012 through 2016.
She earned her 700th career coaching victory when the Panthers defeated Newton to cap an unbeaten run through the Great Bend Invitational Oct. 3.
Johnson inherited a Panther squad that had won three consecutive Western Athletic Conference titles and made back-to-back state appearances under Larned coach Shelly Duvall.
The Panthers went 12-0 in WAC play this year to extend their championship streak to four.
“The kids worked really hard this summer,” Johnson said. “They played in summer league. They were in the weight room at 6:40 a.m. all summer. They put their time in.”
The Panthers feature a mix of youth and experience.
Senior setter Kya Behr is the Panthers’ sparkplug. Washburn commit Behr surpassed 3,000 career assists this season and enters sub-state with 828 assists, 219 digs and 39 aces.
“She can turn the team on a dime,” Johnson said. “She hates to lose more than she likes to win, which is a great thing for her whole team.”
The Panthers have two other senior leaders in outside hitter Alex Mayers, who has recorded 161 winners and 220 digs, and libero Meredith Mazouch, who has a team-leading 333 digs.
“The older girls, our seniors, have done a great job of guiding our younger kids,” Johnson said. “We have three sophomores on the floor at times.”
Sophomore Jaya Stroup ranks second on the team with 231 winners and leads the Panthers with 42 aces while adding 42 blocks.
Sophomore middle hitter Stevie Mayers has recorded 151 winners and 39 blocks while hitting .381, and sophomore defensive specialist Catalina Schenek has added 63 digs.
Junior outside hitter Mikala Minton leads Great Bend with 257 winners and 239 digs. Junior middle hitter Micah Ellegood has supplied 126 winners and a team-leading 46 blocks.
“Our juniors have been very consistent for us,” Johnson said.
The No. 5 ranked Panthers were 13-0 heading to Topeka Washburn Rural Sept. 26. Great Bend went 2-3 with wins over Washburn Rural and SM Northwest and losses to Lenexa St. James, Blue Valley and Clay Center.
St. James is No. 2 in 5A, Blue Valley is No. 3 in 6A and Clay Center is No. 3 in 4A.
The Panthers own three wins over Garden City, ranked No. 10 in 6A, and an early-season victory over Manhattan, No. 5 in 6A.
“We ended up 2-3, the girls figured out they could play with anybody,” Johnson said of the tournament in Topeka. “They knew they were a decent team. Now they know that they’re pretty legit.”
The Panthers are seeking their third consecutive trip to the 5A state tournament Thursday at Advent Health Sports Park at Bluhawk in Overland Park.
For Johnson, the season has already made her grateful for the opportunity to return.
“This team is very special,” she said. “I feel blessed.”
