By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Cowley College has had success in recent years with Great Bend High School graduates on the roster. The Tigers will keep the tradition going next season as Lady Panther senior Cassie Ellegood has committed to play in Arkansas City. Ellegood was part of Great Bend's team that set a school record with 31 wins last season, and she'll be joining a Cowley team that just collected its school-record 61st consecutive win.
"My dad raised me to work for what I want or I will never get it, so having that feeling in a program is really important for me," said Ellegood. "Along with the athletics, Cowley is really academically sound. They have great teachers, resources, and buildings. That played a big role in my choice.
Former Lady Panther Sydney Unruh played at Cowley from 2021-23, and Valarie Luna helped the Lady Tigers win a national title last year. Ellegood looks to carry on the tradition of winning at both schools.
"I chose Cowley because they reminded me of Great Bend in a way," she said. "I feel that Great Bend Athletics really has a memo and mentality. 'Work to Win' and 'Embrace the Battle.' It is a program that makes you work hard and doesn’t give you easy off days, and I believe that helped me become the athlete I am. After visiting a couple of schools, Cowley is the only program I felt that from."
This season, Ellegood has helped the Lady Panthers to a 22-2 start and the No. 9 ranking in Class 5A. She leads the team in kills (152) and kill percentage (45.6), and is second on the team with 34 blocks. A powerful server, Ellegood has aced 38 serves in 46 sets played this year. That pace will likely move her into the school's top-five list for aces in a season.
Ellegood also won a state medal in the high jump last spring. She closes out her volleyball career at GBHS by playing alongside freshman sister, Micah. The girls are the daughters of Myron and Sarah Ellegood.