GARDEN CITY — Great Bend’s volleyball team split a pair of Western Athletic matches — losing to Garden City 25-14, 25-12, but rallying to beat Liberal 25-22, 25-17 in a hard-fought match Thursday. Camryn Dunekack led the Garden City match with five kills and six digs.
“We knew Garden was going to be strong,” said Great Bend coach Kelsey Perry. “They are big and run a quick tempo offense. We weren’t happy with our play. It was the first match of the season and we struggled in serve receive which took our hitters out of the match. When we play them in the WAC tournament we will be a different team.”
Garden City stats — Baylee Beck, 5 digs; Camryn Dunekack, 5 Kills, 14, 1 block, 6 digs; Baleigh Fry, 3 digs, 1 kill; Jenna Mauler, 3 digs, 1 block, 10 assists; Sidney Meitner, 2 kills, 2 digs; Olivia Mull, 2 kills; Kendall Sell, 1 dig; Kate Warren - 4 kills; Trista Wilt, 1 dig
Against Liberal, Dunekacvk contributed 15 digs. Jenna Mauler had 10 digs and 12 assists.
“We bounced back well against Liberal,” Perry said. “Our hitters were clicking with our setters and we were more aggressive. We looked at several different lineups today. With three freshmen and a new junior we are looking for the best rotation and that can take time.”
The matches gave the Panthers room for growth.
“Playing with intensity and chemistry is our goal and that will get better each night,” Perry said. “Seeing this mix of ladies playing together is really going to be fun as the season, and their careers get going full speed.”
Liberal stats — Beck, 1 ace, 16 digs; Dunekack, 1 ace, 15 digs, 5 kills, 1 block, 1assists; Fry, 2 digs, 3 kills; Alyssa Herter, 2 digs, 9 assists; Mauler, 10 digs, 2 kills, 12 assists; Meitner, 2 digs; Mull, 2 digs, 6 kills; Warren, 1 dig, 5 kills, 1 block; Wilt, 1 dig, 1 kill, 1 block
The Great Bend junior varsity split two matches, winning against Garden City.
“They played with great enthusiasm and looked really good against both teams but fell short against Liberal,” Perry said.
Great Bend travels to Dodge City Tuesday.