By Jim Misunas
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

LARNED — Larned High School rallied for its first Central Kansas League volleyball victory 25-20, 27-25 over Haven after losing 25-12, 25-18 to state-ranked Hesston Tuesday.
“In our first home match of the season I couldn’t be prouder of my girls,” said Larned coach Paul Deveaux.  “If I could give a “player of the night” it would definitely be the entire team. I’ve never seen such a “team performance” as I did tonight.  Stats may say that one person stuck out, but if you were there, you know it was the whole team.”
Stat leaders on the night featured Alysa Byrum and Maci Perez with eight kills. Alysa Byrum, Erin Smith, and Jessica Gobin all served at 100 percent. Erin Smith and Maci Perez each had three aces. Alysa Byrum had a season high .470 hitting percentage on the night with eight kills on 17 attempts and zero errors. Kelsey Parr had 17 assists and 12 digs and continues to be an inspirational leader, according to  Deveaux.
Larned (5-16) is 1-4 in league play, but 3-4 the past seven matches. The Indians return home Thursday against Ellinwood, Hill City and Kinsley. Larned plays state-ranked Hillsboro and state-ranked Sterling Sept. 30. Th e annual “Pack Th e Gym” promotion is scheduled for Senior Night Sept. 30.
Deveaux said the Indians salvaged some momentum by beating Haven behind renewed intensity.
“In the Haven match it was a whole new team,” he said. “I’ve never seen the girls play with more fire and energy.  Despite a few more errors that I’d like to see, they stayed positive, kept each other picked up, and won the first set 25-20.”
Haven led 23-18 in the second set when Larned rallied.
“With the score 23-18, my team in other games this season would have just given up — not this time,” Deveaux said. “They dug deep, eliminated mistakes, made smart decisions and pulled out a gritty 27-25 victory to win the match.  It was a great way to end the night. The second set was the proudest moment I’ve had as a coach.”
The Indians started the night with a hard-fought loss against a powerful Hesston team.
“Hesston fooled us with their diverse offense,” said Deveaux said. “We had no answer for their middles or setter who could get the ball wherever it needed to go — where we weren’t.  Hesston was a good and disciplined team. They were very inventive with their offense and I definitely took notes. I made a lineup adjustment in the second set. We kept it close but they proved too tough.”
Deveaux found a silver lining with 27 attempted serves with zero service errors for the first time this season.
“The girls stayed positive despite the loss and I knew they would rebound versus Haven,” he said.