Broncbusters survive; down Seward in five

Garden City, KS-Minus the fact that this match lasted a lot longer than first-year Head Coach, Jacob Sander would have liked, in the end, Garden City found a way to collect their fourth conference win of the season. 

Carly Lang and Julia Brazil combined for 29 kills, Vitoria Stedile posted 36 digs, and the Broncbusters outlasted Seward County in five sets 26-24, 25-23, 24-26, 18-25, 15-9 Wednesday night at Conestoga Arena. 

Camilia Pereira had 10 kills and seven digs, and Vitoria Reis tallied 26 assists for Garden City, which improved to 10-7 overall and 4-4 in the Jayhawk.  

"We've got to figure out a way to close matches," Sander said afterwards.  

In the opening game, the Broncbusters let two set points go to waste when Lang's attack sailed wide left, which was followed by Ana Nikolic's kill that evened things up at 24. But Garden City rebounded nicely with a Brazil spike and a Pereira kill that put the home team up, 1-0.  

"There were times during the match that we really showed what we are capable of," Sander added. 

Garden City led by as many as six in the second set before Seward County rallied to tie it on four different occasions. They even took a brief lead after an attack error by Andrea Djordjevic. But as they did in the first game, the Broncbusters had the last laugh. Keala Wilson's attack error and Stedile's lone kill of the night, gave the Broncbusters a commanding, 2-0 advantage.  

"Our mindset has to change in that situation," Sander said.  

The third set was more of a headscratcher. 

Lang's kill, which spun just inside the right boundary, put Garden City up, 21-15. They were seemingly in control and headed for a sweep. But the Saints rattled off eight straight points to take a 23-21 advantage. Still, the Broncbusters regained their footing and had set point following an attack error by Mariana Silva. However, Silva responded with a kill, Marcelina Pyka and Ana Nikolic registered back-to-back blocks, and suddenly the Saints were back in the match.  

"We just let off the gas," Sander said. "That just can't happen."

After Seward County coasted to a 25-18 victory in the fourth, the Broncbusters thoroughly dominated the fifth set. Miscevic's ace coupled with Lang's kill put Garden City up, 6-2. Lang added another spike, Miscevic blocked a Saints' attack, and Reis finished things off with her second ace of the match. 

Garden City won despite committing 34 attack errors. Kinnley Flower had 21 assists, and Brazil added 23 digs.