By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The season may not have ended the way the Great Bend volleyball team would have liked - a first-round loss in a tough sub-state that featured two teams ranked in Class 5A. But three players received all-Western Athletic Conference honors, and senior Valarie Luna was named WAC Player of the Year.
Luna led the Lady Panther attack this year with 196 kills, but it was her defense that earned her recognition. Her 100 blocks were second-highest in Class 5A, just five blocks from the classification lead. Along with her Player of the Year honor, Luna was also named to the all-WAC first team.
Senior Rylie Duvall also earned first-team honors. She was second on the team with 188 kills and also provided 128 digs. Junior Sadie Spray earned second-team honors after dishing out 683 assists. Spray was also second on the team with 65 blocks, third on the team with 220 digs, and third on the squad with 31 ace services.
Other WAC first-teamers include Liberal's Lizzy Cisneros and Rylie Hallman, Carly Lang from Hays, and Piper Harris from Garden City. All are seniors except the sophomore Harris. Liberal coach Katie Garcia was named WAC Coach of the Year.