DODGE CITY— Great Bend faced a pair of top ten teams in the 2A ranks at Tuesday’s quad in Dodge City.

Following a 2-0 loss (25-12, 25-21) to fourth ranked Spearville, the Panthers regrouped and beat fifth ranked South Central in three games by scores of 23-25, 25-16 and 27-25. Great Bend then dropped a two set decision to host team and WAC foe Dodge City by scores of 25-22 and 25-15.

In the match against Spearville Kate Warren led the team with four kills while Brittnee Barber supplied 10 assists. Defensively Morgan Kottas recorded a team high four digs while Baylee Beck and Sidney Meitner saddled three digs each in the effort.

Kottas also sported three kills while Warren added a pair of blocks. Barber recorded an ace.

“Spearville is a very good team and there’s a reason they’re ranked fourth,” said coach Kelsey Perry. “We struggled to get going in each set and that got us in too big of a hole to get back.”

Against South Central Kaylan Lagerman had the hot hand with an 11-kill performance. Meitner and Camryn Dunekack followed with eight kills each while Warren posted seven scores. Dunekack served up five aces.

The Panthers had an impressive outing defensively as Beck notched a team best 20 digs. Dunekack totaled 12 digs while Barber posted 10 scoops to add to her 31 assists up front.

“We had a of hitters step up in this match and that was great to see,” Perry said. “We passed well, set well, served well and won hustle plays.”

Great Bend struggled to initiate any offensive momentum in the closing match against Dodge City.

Dunekack tallied six kills with five kills each coming from Warren and Meitner. Barber contributed 21 assists while Dunekack and Beck grabbed 18 and 12 digs respectively.

“I think we ran out of steam against Dodge,” said Perry. “They subbed a lot which took any energy we could get away from us. Their front row simply shut us down. We got blocked a lot, missed serves and let our passing falter.”

In JV action, the Panthers won one out of three at Dodge City Tuesday and will head to Scott City for Tournament action this weekend.

“Our schedule is grueling from here on out,” Perry said. “There simply is never an easy night. We did some great things at Dodge but have got to get some things fixed and we’ll focus on those improvements in practice.”

On deck for Great Bend will be Smoky Valley and Scott City in triangular action on Monday, September 14. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m.

MATCH STATS-SPEARVILLE

Barber- 1 ace, 2 digs, 10 assists
Beck- 3 digs, 1 assist
Blessing- 1 kill
Dunekack- 1 ace, 1 kill
Kottas- 4 digs, 3 kills
Lagerman- 2 digs, 1 kill
Warren- 1 dig, 4 kills, 2 blocks
Meitner- 1 ace, 3 digs, 2 kills

MATCH STATS-SOUTH CENTRAL

Barber-10 digs, 31 assists, 4 kills
Beck-1 ace, 20 digs
Blessing - 5 blocks
Dunekack-5 aces, 12 digs, 8 kills
Jerke-1 dig
Lagerman-11 kills
Mauler-2 digs
Sell-- 1 ace, 6 digs
Warren-1 ace, 4 digs, 7 kills
Meitner - 2 aces, 5 digs, 8 kills

MATCH STATS-DODGE CITY

Barber- 10 digs, 31 assists, 4 kills
Beck- 1 ace, 20 digs
Blessing- 5 blocks
Dunekack- 5 aces, 12 digs, 8 kills
Jerke- 1 dig
Lagerman-11 kills
Mauler- 2 digs
Sell- 1 ace, 6 digs
Warren-1 ace, 4 digs, 7 kills
Meitner- 2 aces, 5 digs, 8 kills