Garden City upended by third-ranked Seward
By Mike Pilosof
Photo by Adam Shrimplin
Liberal, KS-Garden City Head Coach Patrick Hiltz said a few weeks ago, that there was no better team in the Jayhawk Conference than Seward County. And on Monday night, the Saints proved just that, rolling to a straight-set victory: 16-25, 14-25, 6-25 at the Green House.
"I thought we played with an energy unlike anything we've played with before this year," Hiltz said. "We showed no fear, and truly looked like we were having fun."
Garden City kept things close early in the first set, pulling within a single point of the third-ranked Saints, 10-9. But Seward rattled off seven of the next eight points and never looked back.
"We talked about having a goal, a focus tonight both individually and as a team. We got better. Our defense looked better."
The Broncbusters looked sharp to begin the second set, building a three-point lead. But Seward County regained control, thanks in large part to a slew of hitting errors. The Saints ran away with the set before strolling to a 19-point win in the third.
"People always talk about playing your best at the end of the season," Hiltz said. "We are getting close. If how we played tonight turns into how we play the rest of the season, we will be tough to beat."
Katarina Vojvodic had nine kills, and Katie McHugh had seven digs for Garden City.
Next up: Garden City at Dodge City on Wednesday. Match time set for 6:30 p.m.