BY JIM MISUNAS
jmsunas@gbtribune.com

Give credit to Alex Mayers for a memorable finish to Great Bend's dramatic Western Athletic Conference volleyball championship.

Mayers' heroic dive saved the volleyball in a late-match play against Liberal with the Panthers needing a victory to clinch the WAC title and a 5A postseason home site. Mayers' effort came at a price with the loss of her front teeth. Ironically, Mayers' save didn't provide a point when a replay was issued for a loose volleyball.

"Alex was not going to let that ball drop, but she landed on her face," said Great Bend coach Shelly Duvall. "You can't coach that effort and competitive drive of an athlete like Alex. But I've never picked up teeth from the court." 

Duvall further explained the situation on KVGB's Sports Day radio program.

"The best part was when she rolls over, looks at me and says, 'Coach, did I save the ball?'" Duvall said. "Yeah, kid, you saved the ball. Saved the ball with no teeth in the front."

Amazingly, Mayers showed courage and heart by quickly returned to the court and delivering the WAC-clinching point with his 11th winner.

"On match point, we had a free ball, and I shouted, 'Give it to her," Duvall said. "Kya Behr read my mind and Alex hit it perfectly for match point. Alex told me, 'Put me in coach.' It didn't bother Alex. She was smiling in every photo."

It was that type of day for the red-hot Panthers who extended their winning streak to 15 matches with a sweep of Saturday's Western Athletic Conference tournament that clinches the third seed and a home 5A substate site Saturday that starts against Valley Center.

The Panthers pushed past Hays High to move up to the No. 3 West seed. Had the Panthers lost one match Saturday, they would've dropped to the fifth or sixth seed.

Of course, it wasn't easy because it never is.

The Panthers played their best volleyball against Hays because that's what a WAC rivalry is all about.

Garden City and Liberal pushed the Panthers to three sets, but Great Bend cruised 25-16 in both match-ending sets.

"We played as a team, and the girls were ready to go," Duvall said. "Each team offers different challenges, so we prepare a scouting report for each team. Garden City showed aggressive serving, tight over the net. It's hard to pass against that style, but we adjusted." 

Great Bend setter Kya Behr owns her own unique style. She flies around the court, preparing a perfect pass for her hard-hitting teammates. 

Of course, Washburn University commit Behr was everywhere Saturday. Even Behr outdid herself with a no-look winner with her back to the net that baffled the opponent.

"Kya is incredible reading the court and knowing where the other team's blockers are," Duvall said. "She's aware of everything around her. That's the pace she plays at."

Libero Ava Kaiser, Alex Mayers and Minton are the defensive sparkplugs with Kimmy Hofflinger and Meredith Mazouch backing them up.

Statistical leaders are Alex Mayers (268 serves, 268 serves received, 249 digs, 214 winners); Behr (713 assists, 352 serves, 256 digs, 127 winners); Ava Kaiser (371 serves received, 322 serves, 288 digs); Minton (267 digs, 253 serves received, 247 serves, 240 winners); Hofflinger (313 serves, 145 digs, 130 serves received; Stevie Mayers (180 serves, 142 winners, 37 blocks); and Micah Ellegood (130 winners, 56 blocks).

WESTERN ATHLETIC SATURDAY

1ST PLACE—Great Bend def. Hays 25-18, 25-13; Great Bend def. Garden City, 25-11, 22-25, 25-16; Great Bend def. Liberal, 25-17, 25-25, 25-16; Great Bend def. Dodge City, 25-9, 25-9; Hays def. Dodge City, 25-10, 25-15; Garden City def. Dodge City, 25-14, 25-14; Dodge City def. Liberal, 21-25, 25-14, 26-24; Hays def. Garden City, 24-26, 25-16, 25-22; Hays def. Liberal, 25-23, 21-25, 25-20; Garden City def. Liberal, 25-20; 25-20; 

5A POSTSEASON 10-25

WICHITA—1—Wichita Carroll 35-1 vs. 16—Newton 9-26; 8—Andover 17-10 vs. 9—Goddard Eisenhower 22-12

MAIZE—2—Maize South 33-4 vs. 15—Goddard 14-20; 7—Salina Central 24-11 vs. 10—Hutchinson 22-13

5A GREAT—3—Great Bend 25-9 vs. 14—Valley Center 16-17; 6—Andover Central 24-10 vs. 11—Emporia 21-14

5A WICHITA—4—Hays High 25-10 vs. 13—Topeka West 19-16;  5—Wichita Kapaun Mt. Carmel 25-10 vs. vs. 12—Salina South 20-16