If the disappointing 12-16 finish last season was part of a rebuilding year for Garden City Community College's volleyball team, consider the construction almost complete.

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Ruiz

The Lady Broncbusters took three of their five matches at the Frank Phillips College Tournament in Borger, Texas, on Friday, bringing their win total on the season to seven.

"We're 7-3 right now," said head coach Nikola Petrovic. "I'm very confident in this team."

Garden City swept Clardon and Hill College at the tournament and edged out Cisco in three sets. The Lady Broncs were defeated by Seminole (Okla.) and Barton County.

The improvement from last season has stemmed partly from the play of some of the Lady Broncs' best players.

Sophomore libero Kimberly Schwarting led the way defensively for Garden City, racking up an average of 5.2 digs a game over the course of the tournament.

Outside-hitter Shawna Ruiz also ranks in the top 25 nationally in kills with an average of 3.9 a game. In total, seven of Garden City's players rank in the top 25 nationally in a statistical categories.

Although the Lady Busters are only five wins away from matching 2006's win total, Petrovic expects a marked improvement in his team's play after he figures out the best way to play his talent.

"We're still experimenting with the lineup," Petrovic said. "We've tried moving our outsides to the right. We've played with one center sometimes. We should improve a lot."

On Friday, Garden City will travel to Cowley County for both a match up with the No. 11 Lady Tigers and a rematch with Seminole.

"Cowley is ranked, but we will be able to see them before we play them," Petrovic said.