Badgers close the deal in sweep of Wampus Cats

CLARK FORK — Nona Young had a strong night with 13 set assists and two aces, but Clark Fork had trouble hitting past the taller block of Bonners Ferry, falling 25-21, 25-21, 25-19 in nonleague volleyball action Monday night at Clark Fork High School. 

The Wampus Cats (7-5) dug a huge deficit in the first set, before clawing back to nearly tie it late, and were also close late in the second set before the Badgers rallied to put it away. Both sets were winnable, which bodes well for the Cats moving forward.

Freshman setter Brooke Stevens continues to emerge as a dual-threat weapon in the hitting game, blasting five kills, and Emily Garman continues to anchor the back row defense with four digs. After being down 17-3 in the first set, a long service run by Leslie Kiebert nearly tied things up at 22-22, as the Cats showed some resolve.

“That comeback was amazing,” said head coach Cindy Derr. “They just don’t quite have it to play at that level. Bonners has some height to them.”

Olivia Whitaker hammered six kills to lead the 3A Badgers, Cadi Bateman added seven assists, Malori Stippich five digs, Miranda Wenk four aces and Trinity Golder two blocks in the sweep.

Facing a 3A opponent offers the Cats a glimpse at the level of competition they’ll see at state, should they make it there, which is ultimately their goal heading into the final stretch of league games.

“All in all I was pleased, we just had a bump in the road today,” said Derr, lauding the play of the freshman Stevens, part of a strong youth movement that gets better every match. “We’re getting Brooke to get some right side hits, which at our level is key. We need to work on the holes, covering the block.”

Clark Fork hosts Mullan tonight in league play.