Stevens, Bristol, Kiebert lead Wampus Cats at state

Cats finish fifth at state for second straight season

BOISE — Featuring a strong senior class, the Wampus Cats went down swinging last weekend at the 1A Division II Idaho State Volleyball Tournament in Boise.

The Wampus Cats (18-11) had a rare squad capable of contending for a state title, and acquitted themselves well by going 1-2 in three tight matches.

“The girls played their hearts out this past weekend,” said Wampus Cats head coach Cindy Derr. “They went into the state tournament wanting to make some noise and even though we tied for 5th place, for the second year in a row, they did make some noise.”

The Cats kicked off the tournament with a solid 26-24, 22-25, 19-25, 25-21, 15-13 win over returning state placer Lighthouse Christian in the first round at Borah High School.

Brooke Stevens posted 34 set assists, Ellie Kiebert ripped 15 kills and Ellie Lambert 18 digs, and Sophie McMahon finished a tight match with three big serves to advance to the semis.

“It was a hard fought match against Lighthouse Christian, as we battled back and forth for the lead,” described Cats head coach Cindy Derr. “Brooke did a great job of spreading out the attack and she did a great job on running down the passes.”

The Cats led reigning champ Watersprings 9-8 in the first set when Kiebert rolled her ankle, and it was tough sledding from there in a 25-22, 25-20, 25-18 loss. Stevens finished with 18 assists, Hailey Bristol posted nine kills and 12 digs and Kiebert taped her ankle and tried to tough it out in the loss.

Facing elimination against Rockland, Stevens tallied 40 set assists, Kiebert 15 kills, Bristol 14 kills and 23 digs and Lambert 10 digs as the Cats left it all on the floor in a 25-18, 25-22, 19-25, 28-26 tough loss to knock them from the tourney.

“The entire team laid it out on the line and they fought as hard as they could,” said Derr, noting the team shut down a very dangerous hitter. “Our middles shut her down a couple of times with blocks.

The Cats were up 26-25 in the fourth set when a couple of bad calls went against them, which was a disappointment to Derr and the Cats.

All told, Stevens finished with 90 assists and 43 digs, Kiebert 38 kills, 21 digs and six aces, Bristol 30 kills, 43 digs and five aces, Tessa Sutton 18 kills and 23 digs, Ali Sutton nine kills and four aces, McMahon seven kills, Lambert 40 digs, Aleehia Valliere 10 digs and Abbie Anderson some strong serve receive.

The team was undefeated in North Star League play, and posted some solid wins against 3A opposition.

“It was a great weekend as the girls were dialed in to go all out. I am proud of the job they accomplished this year, and even though there wasn’t a trophy to bring home, it was a great season,” said Derr. “Our losses were all from playing larger schools, with the exception of the two losses at state. This group of girls all need to hang their heads high and know they worked hard and they are in the top five of the state. Nothing to be ashamed of.”