HAYS  — Saving their best for last, the Great Bend High School Lady Panthers volleyball team defeated arch-rival and host Hays during their final match of the day to secure third place at the Western Athletic Conference tournament on Saturday.
The Lady Panthers, who beat Hays, 25-21, 25-18, handled Liberal in their second-to-last match, 27-25, 25-19. This coming after tourney-opening match losses to eventual champion Garden City and runner-up and defending champion Dodge City.
“We talked about having two losses to start the day and that getting two wins can put us in a great position for WAC standings,” Great Bend head coach Kelsey Perry said. “Wins and point spreads are important in this tournament. By getting two wins against Liberal and Hays we pulled ourselves into the third-place position.”
The lopsided win over Hays was the highlight.
 “We played the best volleyball we have played all year,” Perry said. “Passing was excellent, Tarynn (Stueder) was clicking with all her hitters, and we took over at the net. We played very smart and knew where to put the ball and stopped Liberal and Hays at the net. Katelyn Henning and Kylee Spray played great in the back row.
“Rachel Harris, Liz Kutina, and Brenna Haines were putting the ball away and blocking very well. Kaylie Doll did great things for us at the net by winning several jousts and knowing where the open spots were.”
Others found their touch at the opportune time.
“Brandi Schneider was struggling to keep her hits in bounds,” Perry said. “But she found several great tipping opportunities that led to kills. We just put two great all-around matches together and that is what we have been looking for.
“This is the best time of year to play that way. We finished the day on a great note and need that momentum going into (Class 5A) sub-state next Saturday at Salina Central.

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
WESTERN ATHLETIC
CONFERENCE
TOURNAMENT
Satuday
At Hays
Team Standings
1. Garden City; 2. Dodge City; 3. Great Bend; 4. Hays; 5. Liberal.
GBHS results
Garden City 2, Great Bend 0
(25-21, 25-16)
Tarynn Stueder – 12 Assists, 5 Digs    
Rachel Harris – 5 Kills, 1 Dig
Brandi Schneider – 1 Solo Block, 1 Dig
Liz Kutina – 2 Aces, 3 Kills, 2 Assists, 1 Solo Block
Kaylie Doll – 4 Kills, 1 Assist, 1 Solo Block
Kelsie Doll – 4 Digs
Katelyn Henning – 5 Digs
Brenna Haines – 3 Kills, 2 Solo Blocks
Bonny Boultinghouse – 1 Solo Block, 1 Assist, 2 Digs
Kylee Spray – 1 Dig

Dodge City 2, Great Bend 1
(25-22, 24-25, 25-17)
Tarynn Stueder – 1 Kill, 15 Assists, 1 Ace, 10 Digs, 1 Solo Block
Rachel Harris – 11 Kills, 1 Solo Block
Liz Kutina – 8 Kills, 1 Dig
Brandi Schneider – 1 Kill, 3 Aces, 4 Digs
Kaylie Doll – 3 Kills, 1 Assist
Kelsie Doll – 2 Digs                                                          
Brenna Haines – 6 Kills, 1 Dig
Katelyn Henning – 1 Assist, 18 Digs                          
Bonny Boultinghouse – 3 Digs
Kylee Spray – 1 Dig       

Great Bend 2, Liberal 0
(27-25, 25-19)
Tarynn Stueder – 2 Aces, 26 Assists, 1 Kill, 1 Solo Block,6 Digs
Rachel Harris – 6 Kills, 3 Digs
Brandi Schneider – 1 Ace, 3 Kills, 6 Digs
Liz Kutina – 13 Kills, 1 Solo Block, 2 Digs
Kelsie Doll – 3 Kills, 4 Digs
Katelyn Henning – 16 Digs
Brenna Haines – 2 Assisted Blocks, 1 Kill
Kelsey Crosby – 1 Ace, 3 Blocks, 1 Dig
Kylee Spray – 1 Kill, 5 Digs

Great Bend 2, Hays 0
(25-21, 25-18)
Tarynn Stueder – 2 Aces, 17 Assists, 2 Assisted Blocks, 4 Digs
Rachel Harris – 4 Kills
Brandi Schneider – 2 Aces, 5 Kills, 4 Digs
Liz Kutina – 9 Kills, 4 Blocks, 3 Dig
Kaylie Doll – 1 Kill, 3 Assists, 1 Block, 1 Dig
Kelsie Doll – 4 Digs
Katelyn Henning – 15 Digs
Brenna Haines – 8 Kills, 3 Solo Blocks, 2 Assisted Blocks
Bonny Boultinghouse – 2 Digs
Kylee Spray – 2 Digs
 
Saturday’s GBHS stat leaders:
Kills – Liz Kutina 33, Rachel Harris 26, Brenna Haines 18
Digs – Katelyn Henning 54
Blocks – Brenna Haines 9, Liz Kutina 6
Aces – Brandi Schneider 6, Tarynn Stueder 5
Assists – Tarynn Stueder 70