Broncbusters snap 10-match skid; beat Trinidad State

Garden City, KS (westernkansasnews.com)-For most of the season, freshman Megan Besecker has been Garden City’s go-to attacker. 

On Thursday night though she finally got some much needed help.

Ashley Webb led the way with 10 kills and Bailey Martinez recorded 36 digs as the Broncbusters ended a 10-match losing streak with a four-set 25-19, 25-15, 24-26 and 25-14 victory over Trinidad State at the Perryman Athletic Complex.

“These girls wanted this one badly,” Head Coach Jacquelynne Matula said. “They responded well, especially after losing that third set.”

Despite that setback, where Garden City (4-16, 1-6) blew a 17-13 advantage, the Broncbusters were brilliant. 

In the opening frame, the brown and gold built an 18-14 lead before coasting to a 25-19 win. 

“Our communication was much better tonight,” said sophomore Dara Roulier, who had eight kills on 24 total attacks. “That was something we had to fix, and we did it.”

In the second set, Trinidad State (4-15) pulled to within three at 17-14 before the Broncbusters rattled off eight out of the next nine points to take a 2-0 advantage. 

“We were more consistent tonight,” Matula added. “It’s all a mindset. We had to have this one. It feels really good.”

The third set gave the home crowd a reason for pause. It also gave Matula the same heartburn she experienced just four days earlier vs. Cloud County. 

Garden City held a 17-13 lead before a service error by Vanessa Gmunder sparked the Trojans comeback. Eventually Nicole Carr’s kill gave Trinidad State their first lead of the set 22-21. But the Broncbusters didn’t wilt, and Roulier’s sensational save along the right sideline, falling into the stands tied the match at 22. 

“We gave great effort again, but we kind of zoned out in that third set,” Matula said. 

But back-to-back interference plays at the net gave the Trojans the frame. 

“We didn’t think about what happened on Monday night,” Roulier said. “We just focused on us and this match. That’s what got us over the top.”

In the fourth set, the Broncbusters put the clamps down, and their defense helped them build a 19-10 lead. Then, after failing to complete their first match point, Webb sent the DPAC into a frenzy with an emphatic kill right down the middle of the Trojans’ attack, giving Garden City their first victory since September 9. 

“It’s about time,” Matula said. “This was long overdue.”

Besecker, who at times, has carried the shorthanded Broncbusters this season, had eight kills and 14 digs. 

Next up: Garden City at Barton County-Wednesday, September 28