Concordia Volleyball Advances to the Class 4A State Tournament
The Concordia High School Volleyball Team won both matches in the Pratt substate on Saturday, October 26th to advance to the 2024 KSHSAA Class 4A State Volleyball Tournament in Hutchinson. The first time the Panthers have made it to state since their runner-up finish in 2016.
Concordia finished the regular season with a 21-14 overall record, two games back from the 23-12 Pratt Greenbacks to be able to host a substate bracket in Class 4A. This didn't bother the Panthers at all as Concordia embraced the #5 seed and took care of business in a rocking environment. #4 Pratt took care of #13 Abilene in a two set sweep and the Panthers followed that performance with a sweep of their own over the #12 Ulysses Tigers winning 25-14 and 25-16. Head Coach Kayla Garst spoke on the win over the Tigers.
Concordia then took on the host site. After a slow start the Panthers dropped set one to the Greenbacks 25-18. We were used to that Ulysses speed of the game and I don't think we were ready to play faster volleyball and play our game," Garst said.
It didn't take long for Concordia to find their game as they started set number 2 taking a 5-0 lead and never looking back the rest of the match. Concordia defeated Pratt 25-18 and 25-15 in the next two sets to advance to state. Garst spoke on the key to the victory.
The celebration ensued. Concordia despite all the adversity this season of losing star Seniors Taylor McDaniel and Kenlee Williams as well as facing one of the hardest regular season schedules in the state still found a way to put themself in a position to make it to state and went on the road to punch their ticket. Garst shared about the celebration on the Greenbacks home floor.
Concordia now turns their attention to Friday morning. The Panthers, now 23-14, will compete as the #6 seed and are placed in Pool #2. Click here to view the full seedings and both Pool's. Starting at 8:30 in the morning from the Hutchinson Sports Arena, home of the Hutch CC Blue Dragons, #6 Concordia will take on #3 Clearwater. The Panthers will then take a break and face familiar NCKL foe the #2 Rock Creek Mustangs at 11:30 and then immediately following that match at 12:30 they'll end day one facing the #7 McPherson Bullpups. Garst shared how the teams tough regular season schedule is so beneficial for competing at state.
Concordia faced #1 Clay Center three times, #2 Rock Creek twice, and #5 Holton twice this season. To hear Kayla Garst's full interview on KNCK's Tuesday morning's Coaches Corner click here. Also be sure to catch the Panthers three matches on Friday morning on KNCK 1390/98.3 with Austin McNorton and Loren Swenson live from Hutchinson.