By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Four solid sets of volleyball. The No. 10 Lady Panther volleyball team played host to Goddard and Hutchinson Thursday night, rarely being threatened in a pair of straight-set wins. Great Bend moves to 12-2 on the season.
"Our defense was there, our setting was there, hitting was there," said Lady Panther senior Cassie Ellegood. "It was definitely different than (Tuesday's win against Junction City)."
Great Bend def. Goddard 25-17, 25-15
The Ellegoods were big early with a kill from Cassie and a block from freshman Micah for an early 6-4 Panther lead. The Lions were hanging strong at 11-8 until a tip from sophomore Kya Behr put momentum in Great Bend's favor. Freshman Mikala Minton scored a pair of points at the net and Micah Ellegood added another tip as the Panther lead grew to 18-10. A deflection off Behr's shoulder set up match point and senior Kara Feist finished off the opening set at 25-17 with a big hit.
Cassie Ellegood put down three early kills in the second set, then sophomore Alex Mayers added an ace off the net for a quick 8-3 run. A pair of aces from Behr kept the lead at 12-6, then Cassie Ellegood showed off a little versatility with a block, a kill, an ace, and an otherwise strong service to set up match-point at 24-13.
"Service was so much better," said Lady Panther coach Shelly Duvall. "I think just confidence behind the line and serving aggressively made a big difference in our offense, for sure. It gave us a pretty big lead."
Goddard featured a trio of athletes, including three-year captain and big hitter Emerson Wedel and up-and-coming sophomore Kamille Turner. Great Bend kept their damage to a minimum on both sides of the net.
"I like it when they're at the net," Cassie Ellegood said. "When you get a block it's just that much more exciting and it hypes you up even more. It's fun when (Wedel) went in the back row. It still gives you that chance to block them in the back row and you still see them on the court and it keeps the competitiveness going."
Great Bend def. Hutchinson 25-11, 25-19
Cassie Ellegood was not slowed by the break between matches, coming out against the Salthawks with two kills and a block for a 4-1 score. Hutchinson got as close as 16-10 before Cassie did it again with two more blocks and two more spikes for a 22-11 Panther lead. Mayers added a late ace, and Behr and Cassie Ellegood each put down balls to finish the first set in short order 25-11.
Five Lady Panthers scored offensive points early on in set two, resulting in a quick 11-5 score. Mayers and Micah Ellegood split six of those first 11 points. The Salthawks were battling back at 14-11 when Behr and Cassie Ellegood both came up with back-to-back acrobatic saves to score a point. Hutchinson stayed around at 15-14 until Minton put down a pair of kills. Behr followed with a big serve and a spike to bump the gap to 19-15. The Salthawks never threatened again as Feist put down a kill, junior Ava Kaiser served up an ace, and Cassie Ellegood put down a final kill to set up match-point.
The Lady Panthers take a week off of competition before heading to Dodge City on Oct. 3.