The Great Bend volleyball team used the home court advantage to the fullest as the Panthers swept through Saturday’s Great Bend Invitational in five sets.

The Panthers opened Saturday’s competition with a 2-0 victory over St. John.

In that match Kayln Blessing sported five kills while Baylee Beck led defenders with seven digs. Senior setter Brittnee Barber saddled 12 assists in the win over the Tigers.

Great Bend then downed Phillipsburg in a pair of sets.

Morgan Kottas led the offense with 10 kills while Beck contributed 22 digs. Barber had a big outting supplying 23 assists.

“We served well against Phillipsburg and took them out of their offense,” said coach Kelsey Perry. “They have a couple good attackers and we didn’t allow them to go on any runs.”

The Panthers then took care of Salina Central, 2-0.

Kottas and Kate Warren fueled the attack with six kills each with 18 assists coming from Barber. Kottas and Camryn Dunekack posted seven and six digs respectively.

“We played very well the first set against Central,” Perry said. “We were seeing fatigue set in the second match and fell into a seven-point deficit. The team fought their way back to win a thrilling second set.”

In the fourth match Great Bend shutdown Hutchinson in two sets.

Dunekack tallied 19 kills in the outing while Beck and Barber added 16 and 14 digs. Blessing totaled five blocks in the win.

“We were starting to sense the possibility of playing for the championship,” said Perry “This was good motivation to be consistent and get to the final match.”

In the championship round the Panthers battled with Hays as Great Bend came out on top in a three-set win.

Beck and Dunekack had solid defensive performances with 26 and 15 digs. Kottas added 10 digs along with nine kills with Barber posting 23 assists.

Kottas, Barber and Warren were named to the all-tournament team. Beck was tabbed defensive player of the tournament.

Great Bend will travel to Campus today then play at home on Thursday.

“Three of our four matches this week are against talented, ranked teams,” said Perry. “We need  to carry our momentum over from this weekend.”

FINAL TOURNAMENT STANDINGS

Great Bend-1st
Hays-2nd
Salina Central-3rd
St. John-4th
Hutchinson-5th
Phillipsburg-6th