Garden City makes history beating Barton 3-2

Great Bend, Kan (WesternKansasNews.Com) – The Broncbusters rallied through a tough match in Great Bend Wednesday night at the Kirkman Activity Center. Jelena Milovanovic had 15 kills, Tola Maczka set a new school record, and Garden City claimed their first win over Barton in school history 3-2. Jelena Milovanovic and Fiona Arnold combined for 30 kills, Tola Maczka dished out 30 assists, and Garden City topped Barton in five sets 17-25, 28-26, 25-19, 24-26, 15-11 at the Kirkman Center.

In set one it was all Barton after Garden City came in with low energy. Barton would capitalize on many error’s, and the Cougars rolled out to a 25-15. “ It was the most boring, and lifeless set of volleyball in my life,” said head coach Patrick Hiltz. That wouldn’t be the case for long, as the Broncbusters would rally back big in the second set. 

The Cougars started strong with a 19-13 advantage until Garden City called timeout. Jelena Milovanovic added a kill, and Tola Maczka dished one over the net offsetting Barton’s defense. The Broncbusters would rally and come back with sixteen points to win 29-27. “Coming back was key, if we didn’t respond, Barton possibly wins in 3” added Patrick. 

The third set was highlighted by plenty of fireworks including Barton Coach, Alan Segal receiving a yellow card for arguing a call. Apolline Lepuissant then hushed the crowd with a powerful spike, Arnold sent a shot through the block before Lepuissant notched two more kills, giving the Broncbusters a 19-18 lead and forcing the Cougars to call timeout. Once play resumed, Yavuz swatted away a line-drive attack, and Miranda Jenkins dropped in a service ace to put Garden City up two sets to one. 

After taking sets two and three, Barton applied the pressure right out the gate. The Cougars rejected Kate Perryman’s attack, and the Broncbusters clustered 5 errors together to give Barton an untouchable lead. Barton forced a fifth set after Garden City came within four.

In the fifth set, it was all Garden City to start, as Hannah Brnadt clobbered the ball down the pin, Kate Perryman added a kill, and the Broncbusters surged to a 4-0 lead. Barton would eventl tie it up, but Garden City found point after point during big defensive rallies.

It was a big night historically for Garden City as Tola Maczka recorded her 44th Service Ace this season, making her the all time leader in program history. Garden City also made history as a team, defeating the Cougars for the first time in program history. After a 45 game straight losing streak, the Brocncbusters just added another game to their impressive resume this season.

“ It leaves me speechless quite honestly. For a team to switch form a 5-1 offense into a 6-2 can be super challenging, especially during a match. Our girls responded well all night. For some of them to switch mentally so quickly and smoothly gives me so much confidence about this team the rest of the year” added Hiltz.

Lepuissant had 23 digs for Garden City, which improved to 16-7 overall and 4-4 in conference play. Arnold had 13 digs and Jenkins added 10. The Broncbusters are on the road in Dodge City Friday night starting at 6:30 P.M.