By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
At 19-15 a year ago, the Great Bend Lady Panther volleyball team saw its share of success. Coach Shelly Duvall wants to set the bar even higher in 2023. The team loses three seniors to graduation but Duvall hopes to fill those shoes with a hungry new set of players.
"We are going to be strong with all three of our teams this year," she said. "These girls are super athletic and have a very strong work ethic; some of the best hustle effort I have seen in a long time."
The most notable absence is that of Valarie Luna, who is continuing her playing career at Cowley County Community College. Luna paced last year's squad with 100 blocks and 196 kills. Rylie Duvall graduated after finishing second on the team with 188 kills, and Kyndall Blessing was a big back-row figure with 187 digs.
Back this season are seniors Sadie Spray, Paige Thexton, Kenzie Premer, Macy Nachtigal, Lauryn Davis, and Emilee Hall. They are backed by a talented group of underclassmen, including freshman Kya Behr, who will make an immediate impact as a hitter.
"Varsity will be an extremely fast-paced offense this year with both Kya and Sadie setting in a 6-2 system," Duvall said. "Both are extremely good hitters so they need to do both, which is why we are having them both set as well. Our middle will be some of our best hitters with Cassie Ellegood and Kara Feist. Both have high verticals and move laterally quickly to get to the ball. And it always helps to have your head almost over the net."
Spray accounted for 683 of the team's 821 assists last season and also served up 31 aces and finished with 220 digs. Like Luna, the junior Ellegood is a proven high jumper with state track experience. She finished with 60 kills and 48 blocks as a sophomore. Feist, also a junior, finished her sophomore campaign with 160 kills and 54 blocks.
Premer, Hall, and sophomore Denver Ringo will round out the hitting corps. Duvall said all three have power, strength, and the ability to place the ball. Premer was fourth on last's year's squad with 149 kills.
Great Bend returns virtually all of its back row and top servers from 2022. Nachtigal led the defense with 392 digs, followed by Thexton's 222 and 179 from Davis. Davis paced the team with 44 service aces and Thexton was second with 32.
"All three are able to play the back row and read the ball defensively," said Duvall. "Paige has amazing enthusiasm, Macy leads by example in how she plays, and Lauryn adds a killer serve."
The Lady Panthers open the 2023 season against Liberal on Aug. 31. Great Bend plays at home against Manhattan and Hays on Sept. 12, and hosts a tournament on Saturday, Sept. 30.