SALINA — Head coach Kelsey Perry knew that her Great Bend High School volleyball team had a difficult task entering Saturday’s Class 5A sub-state volleyball tournament at Salina Central.
Competing in sub-state B against No. 2 seed Newton, Great Bend had its season end at the hands of the Railers in a 25-17, 25-7 setback.
Newton went on to capture the sub-state crown after beating Andover Central in the final, 25-19, 26-24.
The Lady Panthers stayed in contention in the opening game of the match before falling by an eight-point margin.
The second game was another story as Newton closed out the match in convincing fashion.
“They were the ones that were the best hitters in the first game, for sure,” Perry said. “We just came out slow and fell behind 5-0 and then we could never get back over the hump and get back in it.
“Going in and being the No. 7 seed, we knew it was going to be tough to knock off a No.1 or No. 2. They played extremely well. As a team, we felt that if we could have won that first game, then that changes the whole match ... you have momentum and confidence that you can win another one.”
Libero Katelyn Henning closed out her record-setting career with another stellar performance.
“Katelyn Henning played great in the first game of the match,” Perry said. “She obviously has been our leader all year out there. Our talker, and our leader in the backcourt. Along with Liz Kutina and Rachel Harris, those three really played well and they were all seniors, so that was good to see.”

Class 5A Sub-State
Volley Tournament
at Salina Central
Sub-State B
Semifinals — Newton def. Great Bend, 25-17, 25-7; Andover Central def. Salina South 25-20, 25-17.
Final — Newton def. Andover Central, 25-19, 26-24.

GBHS statistics
Tarynn Stueder — 4 digs, 1 assisted block, 10 assists
Rachel Harris — 1 dig, 4 kills
Brandi Schneider — 2 digs, 1 kill
Liz Kutina — 1 Ace, 1 dig, 7 Kills
Kaylie Doll — 1 dig, 1 kill
Kelsie Doll — 2 dig
Katelyn Henning — 7 digs, 1 kill
Brenna Haines — 1 solo stuff block 1 assisted block, 1 Kill
Bonny Boultinghouse — 1 dig
Kylee Spray — 3 digs