Clark Fork earns third straight berth to state
Emily Myers goes up to block a shot her freshman year during the 1A Division II District 1 championship match Saturday at Clark Fork High School. Meyers will be making her return to the court in 2022.
(File photo)
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE) The Lady Cats pose for a photo after winning the district tournament Saturday.
CLARK FORK — Clark Fork volleyball swept Mullan in the 1A Division II District 1 tournament championship Saturday to clinch its third straight trip to state.
The Lady Cats (12-3) took down the Tigers (6-5) 25-13, 25-9, 25-15.
The tournament title comes after Clark Fork completed a perfect 8-0 season in the North Star League.
Clark Fork head coach Michelle Valliere said earning a spot to state was one of the Lady Cats’ goals coming into the season.
“I knew that it would take a lot of hard work to accomplish what we’ve accomplished, but they worked hard, they dug in and they played good,” she said.
In the first set of the championship match, the Lady Cats rode a 16-0 run while senior Sophie McMahon was serving to a first game victory.
Clark Fork dominated the second set as senior Ellie Kiebert blasted a couple kills to silence the Tigers.
The third game was more tightly contested early on but the Lady Cats pulled away in the end.
Kiebert led the Lady Cats with nine digs and five kills in the match. Freshman Paige Valliere notched 18 set assists and McMahon added four aces and seven kills.
“Hats off to Clark Fork they’re a well coached ball club,” Mullan head coach Dawn McKinnon said. “I just think we should have played a little better.”
Mullan advanced to the championship match after beating No. 3 seed Genesis Prep (2-15) 25-12, 25-17, 25-22 in the semifinals. No. 1 Clark Fork took down No. 4 Lakeside 25-21, 25-14, 25-21 in the other semi.
In the semifinal, Kiebert led the Lady Cats with 11 kills and 13 digs. Paige Valliere had 30 set assists and eight digs while senior Aleehia Valliere added 13 digs. McMahon also tallied three blocks.
The Tigers would’ve had to beat Clark Fork twice in order to win the tournament championship.
Clark Fork will now head to Lewiston High School to compete in the 1A Division II volleyball state tournament. The Lady Cats opening match is set for 9 a.m. Friday against Rockland.
Michelle Valliere said its an honor to be one of the eight teams to play in state.
“If we just go down there and play hard I would be super happy but if we can go down there and make it to the second day I would be ecstatic,” she said.