By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Every point has potential. After dominating the first two sets in a best-of-five home match against Junction City Tuesday evening, the Lady Panther volleyball team trailed 18-12 in the third set. Freshman Micah Ellegood's hit skimmed the line on the far side of the court to stop the bleeding. Great Bend ultimately tied the set at 19 and went on to win the set and match 25-12, 25-18, 25-22.
"I think the third set just came down to passing," said Lady Panther coach Shelly Duvall. "I think we got complacent and comfortable. The girls didn't put in the effort they did in the first two sets and it showed. That's why we were down as many we were, which is not acceptable. We'll be doing some work at practice tomorrow."
Ellegood's hit made the score 18-13, and sophomore Alex Mayers cut further into the deficit with another kill for an 18-15 score. An ace from junior Ava Kaiser got the Lady Panthers within a point, then a tip from sophomore Kya Behr leveled the match at 19.
The Lady Jays were far from done, scoring three of the next four points to pull back ahead 22-20. Senior Cassie Ellegood shut the door with a tip and a block to again tie the match at 22. Freshman Mikala Minton set up match point with a hit, then Cassie Ellegood finished off the evening with another point at the net.
"They are a team that can battle," Duvall said. "We have higher expectations than the way we played tonight. It's great to get the win, obviously, but we have a lot to learn before we come back Thursday."
Junction City was hanging around at 10-9 in the first set before a pair of big serves from Lady Panther junior Kimmie Hofflinger kickstarted a big run. Mayers ended the run with two more big serves for an 18-10 Panther lead. Cassie Ellegood added a late ace, and Behr followed a big block from senior Kara Feist to set up the set point. Feist delivered the kill for the first set at 25-12.
The Lady Panthers fell victim to several service points throughout the three sets, including the first two points of set two. The Jays added another ace midway through the set to stay in the game at 12-10. Micah Ellegood put down a pair of kills to create some separation at 22-16. Feist and Cassie Ellegood delivered to late blows to secure the second set 25-18.
Great Bend moves to 10-2 overall and plays host to Goddard and Hutchinson Thursday.