Lady Broncbusters looking to snap Butler’s 22-match conference win streak
Courtesy of Broncbuster Athletics
Garden City, Kan (WesternKansasNews.Com)–It has been a monumental season for coach Patrick Hiltz and the Lady Broncbusters.
Following a week with two wins, Garden City sits second in the Kansas Jayhawk Conference standings with a 14-3 overall record and 3-0 conference record. Those three conference wins came over Dodge City, Cloud County and Pratt. Now another conference opponent will aim for Garden City’s achilles this week.
Butler comes into the season with a 8-4 overall, and 4-0 conference record, leading the KJCCC. The fifth ranked Butler Grizzlies started their season with a tough weekend slate in Council Bluffs, Iowa at the Reiver Classic. The Grizzlies played four ranked teams including opening the season against back-to-back national champion Iowa Western on their home floor. The Grizzlies dropped all four matches in extremely close fashion, and eventually dropped from the rankings.
The Lady Grizzlies haven’t only been dominant this year, but last year as well. In 2021, Butler had a record breaking season, going 37-4 overall, winning the conference regular season (16-0) and the conference tournament. The Lady Grizzlies punched their ticket to the NJCAA Volleyball tournament as well, where they would place 5th.
Butler also holds another key stat. In 22 conference games, the Lady Grizzlies have been untouchable. March 30th, 2021 was the last time Butler lost to a conference opponent, which was a 3-1 loss to Colby.
The Lady Broncbusters look to change that though Wednesday night on the road. Garden City so far this year has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. From a blistering 6-0 home start, a competing five set dual with Arizona Western, and a conference rivalry win, don’t count out the Lady Broncbusters for what could be “conference upset”.
It won’t be a cake walk for the visiting squad though. Injuries have been lingering over Garden City all season long, with most being temporary. Biggest loss will be Middle Blocker, Kate Perryman, who has missed 7 of the of the 17 matches this season. Without Perryman’s big presence at the middle, look for other names like Fiona Arnold and Jelena Milovonavic to add big plays and big numbers versus the Grizzles.
Since 2011, Butler leads the series 12-5 over Garden City. Butler has a home record of 7 wins and only 1 loss to the Lady Broncbusters, which came in 2020 under coach Patrick Hiltz’s direction. Butler will host Garden City in the Power Plant in El Dorado, Kan. Match is scheduled to start a 6:00 P.M.
