Broncbusters sweep Saints; snap 22-match skid

Garden City, KS-There is not a team in the Jayhawk Conference that wants to face Garden City in the postseason. Just ask Seward County.  

Jelena Milovanovic had 17 kills, Vitoria Stedile added 22 digs, and the Broncbusters eviscerated the Saints in three sets, 25-22, 25-20, 25-22 Saturday night at Conestoga Arena. Garden City improved to 16-9 overall and 6-5 in conference play, moving into sole possession of fourth place thanks to a Cloud County loss. The Broncbusters play the Thunderbirds on Wednesday in Concordia.  

Garden City overcame some early adversity in the opening set. Trailing 21-17, Carly Lang's spike split the Seward County back line to start the rally. Then, the freshman tapped one over into the soft spot of the Saints defense before an attack error by the visitors and a Milovanovic kill forced Seward County to call a timeout. Tola Maczka dropped in consecutive service aces, Milovanovic hammered home a kill, and Gaby Santos blocked a Saints attack to give Patrick Hiltz's squad the opening frame.  

After the Broncbusters closed the second on a 6-2 run capped by Apolline Lepuissant's crosscourt kill that was set up by Stedile's perfect set, Garden City finished strong. Trailing 17-14 in the third, the Broncbusters reeled off five straight points to go in front for good. Pinar Dugeroglu followed with a massive block at the net, Julia Brazil powered a ball through the Seward County block, and Dugeroglu tallied a service ace to put Garden City up by four. That eventually led to Milovanovic's emphatic spike, helping the Broncbusters snap a 22-match losing streak to the Saints. 

Maczka was magnificent again recording 42 assists for Garden City. Brazil had 11 kills, Dugeroglu had nine, and Lepuissant added eight kills and 18 digs.