By MIKE COURSON
Special to the Post
Back-to-back record-breaking seasons and the first trip to state in five years. Great Bend High School's volleyball team has excelled on the court over the past two seasons, winning a school-record 31 matches in 2023, then upping that number to 35 wins last fall. The Kansas Volleyball Association has rewarded those efforts by naming the Lady Panthers the KVA Class 5A Program of the Year. Head coach Shelly Duvall was named KVA 5A Coach of the Year.
"I'm very thankful that the KVA has recognized the hard work of this group of girls and coaching staff," said Duvall. "It's not every day you receive this award, especially in the Class 5A classification. Thank you to all those who made this possible for our program."
After a mild start, Great Bend won 27-straight matches to punch its ticket to state with a 35-2 record. The Lady Panthers ended the 2024 campaign with a 35-5 record, with all five losses coming against opponents that played in Class 4, 5 and 6A state tournaments. Last year, Great Bend won its first Western Athletic Conference title in 20 years.
"This season, our team accomplished many goals," Duvall said. "Not only did they break the most wins in a season again this year after setting the school record last year, but they worked hard to win the WAC title for a second year in a row, and also won regionals and gave themselves a state tournament run."
Duvall's roster featured four seniors, including Kara Feist and Cassie Ellegood, who played in virtually every set and have signed commitments to continue their volleyball careers at the next level. That means most of the 2024 squad will return in 2025.
"Despite having only three returning varsity players, our younger athletes brought energy and talent to the court," said Duvall. "They were ready for the challenge and it paid off."
Ellegood, who signed at two-time defending national champion Cowley County, led the 2024 team with 280 kills. Feist, who will play at Fort Hays State University, put down 214 kills. Ellegood's 53 aces as a senior rank No. 5 all-time at the school in a single season.
As a sophomore, Kya Behr had an historic season, finishing third on the team with 211 kills. But it was her setting game that made the biggest difference. Behr's 829 assists last season smashed the 2012 record of 745 assists. Just two Lady Panthers have surpassed 700 assists in a single season.
The Lady Panthers had young talent all over the court. Alex Mayers and Mikala Minton, an upcoming junior and sophomore, respectively, combined for 323 kills. Upcoming senior Ava Kaiser led the defense with 353 digs, and Minton and Behr just missed the 300-mark with 296 and 284, respectively. At the net, then-freshman Micah Ellegood put down 53 blocks. Kimmy Hofflinger, Class of '26, did a little of everything while playing in all 89 sets last season.
Great Bend entered the Class 5A state tournament in Salina as the No. 2 seed last November but dropped all three matches to end its season at 35-5.