BY JIM MISUNAS

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

HUTCHINSON — Great Bend volleyball coach Shelly Duvall knew it would require the Panthers' best effort to surprise Goddard Eisenhower at the 5A volleyball substate. 

The Panthers misfired and dropped a hard-fought 25-16, 25-21 semifinal setback to Goddard Eisenhower. The Panthers' Valarie Luna was spectacular at times hitting winner with her amazing vertical jump. Luna will have an opportunity to compete at the collegiate level. 

But the Panthers were unable to feature her enough. 

Luna delivered the final tie 20-20 on a spectacular winner. But the Lions delivered back-to-back winners and the Panthers missed a volley. Rylie Duvall drew the Panthers within 23-21. But Tiger Kelsey Dexter hit the final two winners for a 25-21 second set victory.

"We had high hopes because we were playing at the peak of our season," Duvall said. "We had to play with a green light today. Unfortunately, today our passing was off, and it wasn't our best day. We didn't put the volleyball where we needed to place it. The team that played the best won today." 

Seniors graduating include Luna, Duvall's daughter Rylie Duvall and Kyndall Blessing. Rylie Duvall hit several winners and Blessing and Kara Feist contributed valuable winners. There were tears shed when players left the locker room.

"They love the game, their teammates and being a Panther. What more would you want? Duvall asked. "It's hard for your seniors, especially when one of them is your daughter. I never doubt their effort for a minute. They gave 100 percent." 

Hutchinson (29-7) defeated Eisenhower, 25-14, 25-16 in the championship match.

5A HUTCHINSON—Hutchinson High def. Maize High, 25-16, 25-19; Goddard Eisenhower def. Great Bend, 25-16, 25-21; Hutchinson def. Eisenhower, 25-14, 25-16

5A MAIZE—Salina South def. Goddard, 25-21, 25-23; Maize South def. Salina South, 25-7, 25-17; Wichita Kapaun Mt. Carmel def. Valley Center, 25-13, 25-20; Maize South def. Kapaun Mt. Carmel, 25-22, 25-17

5A ANDOVER—Hays def. Salina Central, 25-14, 16-25, 25-22; Andover Central def. Hays, 25-12, 25-21; Newton def. Topeka West, 26-28, 25-17, 15-16; Andover Central def. Newton, 26-24, 25-16 

5A WICHITA—Wichita Carroll def. Andover High, 25-16, 25-20; Emporia def. Arkansas City 25-20, 29-27; Wichita Carroll def. Emporia, 25-21, 26-24

3A LINDSBORG—Smoky Valley def. Larned, 25-6, 25-6; Hoisington def. Hesston, 25-18, 25-21; Council Grove def. Lyons, 28-26, 25-12; SE Saline def. Nickerson, 25-22, 25-13; Smoky Valley def. Hoisington, 25-12, 25-11; Council Grove def. SE Saline, 26-24, 23-25, 25-22; Smoky Valley def. Council Grove, 25-23, 25-13

1A DIV 2  COLDWATER—Ashland def. Western Plains, 25-27, 25-23; Pawnee Heights def. Otis-Bison, 25-22, 25-16; South Central def. Ashland, 25-6, 25-10; Bucklin def. Pawnee Heights, 25-18, 25-14; South Central def. Bucklin, 25-16, 25-16 

2A WAKEENEY—Ellinwood def. Hill City, 25-11, 25-9; Ellis def. Trego, 21-25, 25-19, 25-19; Smith Center def. Plainville, 25-9, 25-5; Hoxie def.  Hays TMP, 25-20, 25-22; Ellinwood def. Ellis, 25-11, 25-18; Smith Center def. Hoxie, 25-19, 25-22; Smith Center def. Ellinwood, 25-19, 19-25, 25-20

1A DIV. 1 GOESSEL—Canton-Galva def. Solomon, 25-22, 25-20; Goessel def. Central Plains, 25-8, 25-17; Hope Rural Vista def. McPherson Elyria, 25-6, 25-17; Little River def. Canton-Galva, 25-20, 25-11; Goessel def. Rural Vista, 25-6, 25-17; Little River def. Goessel, 25-22, 27-25

1A DIV. 1  LANGDON—St. John def. La Crosse, 25-16, 25-18; Macksville def. Kinsley, 25-15, 25-20;  Skyline def. Fairfield, 25-21, 21-25, 25-22; Pretty Prairie def. St. John, 25-14, 25-12; Macksville def. Skyline, 19-25, 25-18, 25-23; Pretty Prairie def. Macksville, 25-12, 25-19

1A DIV 2. CUNNINGAM—Cunningham def. Caldwell, 25-13, 25-22; Argonia def. Stafford, 25-14, 25-8; South Haven def. South Barber, 25-22, 25-23; Attica def. Cunningham 25-10, 25-9;  Argonia def. South Haven, 25-16, 25-18; Attica def. Argonia, 25-15, 25-22