Garden City beats Pratt in four; wins fifth straight

Pratt, KS-Garden City keeps stacking up wins, even if they aren't pretty.  

Pinar Dugeroglu posted 19 kills, Tola Maczka had 54 assists, and Garden City overcame a sluggish first set to beat Pratt in four, 19-25, 25-15, 25-16, 25-23 Saturday afternoon at Dennis Lesh Sports Arena. The Broncbusters won their fifth straight match, improving to 18-9 overall and 8-5 in conference play.  

"Credit Pratt for playing a great game," Head Coach, Patrick Hiltz said. "They passed serve very well and frustrated us on several occasions." 

Jelena Milovanovic and Apolline Lepuissant combined for 23 kills for Garden City, which has a one-game lead over Colby for third place in the Jayhawk with three matches to play. They host the Trojans on Saturday.  

"Thank goodness for Pinar today as the game would most certainly have gone differently if not for her performance," Hiltz added. 

Other than a disastrous first set, one that saw Pratt close on a 12-6 run, the Broncbusters pretty much dictated this match. With the second set tied 6-6, Lepuissant's spike was deflected out of bounds, giving Garden City the lead for good. Dugeroglu followed with a tap over the net and a service ace, and the Broncbusters never looked back.  

"Normally we allow our defense to carry us to wins," Hiltz stated. "You won't catch me complaining about a good day offensively though, that's for sure."

After steamrolling Pratt in the third, the Beavers hung around in the fourth, fighting off a couple of match points before Milovanovic's kill put the match on ice.  

"This is a solid road win," Hiltz said. "Now we get some rest, and then we get ready for a couple of important home matches."

Vitoria Stedilie paced the Broncbusters with 19 digs. Lepuissant posted a double-double with 18 digs and 10 kills, Dugeroglu sprinkled in a pair of service aces.