Lady Tiger volleyball signs hitter from Great Bend

The Cowley College volleyball team has signed Valarie Luna of Great Bend, KS, to begin her college career in the fall of 2023.

Luna, a 5-foot-8 middle hitter/outside hitter, prepped at Great Bend High School, where she played three seasons of varsity volleyball. In her senior season, she led her team to a 19-15 record, finished in the first round of Kansas Sub-state, and finished second in the conference. During the season, she totaled 196 kills, a .380 hitting percentage, 14 aces, 63 digs, and 100 blocks. She was named Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year (unanimously), First Team WAC All-Conference, and was named one of the top 25 players in Western Kansas to watch in 2022 by the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA).

In her junior season, she led her team to an 18-16 record and won a conference championship. For her efforts, she was named First Team WAC All-Conference. Luna recorded 129 kills, a .375 hitting percentage, and 104 blocks.

In her sophomore season, she led her team to a 20-11 record and finished second in her conference. She recorded 88 kills, a .332 hitting percentage, and 55 blocks.

Her career totals included 413 kills, 259 blocks (85 solo blocks), 107 digs, and 14 aces.

Off the volleyball court, Luna also participated in four seasons of track and field at Great Bend High School. Her junior year, she led her team to a KSHSAA state runner-up, was state runner-up in the high jump, and placed third in the 4 x 100.

Cowley head volleyball coach Steven Gream states, "Valarie is a great addition to our program. Her athleticism and timing allow her to play strong at the net with her attacking and blocking abilities. In recruiting her, we were impressed with her amazing athletic ability and vertical, along with her powerful arm swing. Valarie has great court awareness, court vision, the ability to play both middle and outside positions, and her ability to play strong at the net on both offense and defense. We were looking for a hitter who can do multiple things, run a variety of sets, and would give us another weapon on both offense and defense. She will adjust well to our fast-paced offense and run a variety of sets that our offensive system requires for a front-row hitter. We are very excited to have her as a part of the Cowley volleyball program."

Luna is the daughter of Daniel and Pamela Luna of Great Bend, Kansas.