Clark Fork crushes Kootenai to advance to district final
The Clark Fork volleyball team celebrates after earning a point against Kootenai on Tuesday.
(Photo courtesy of LESLIE KIEBERT)
Sophomore Emily Myers prepares to receive a ball during Tuesday's match against Kootenai.
(Photo courtesy of LESLIE KIEBERT)
The Lady Cats celebrate after winning a point Tuesday night.
(Photo courtesy of LESLIE KIEBERT)
Junior Caiya Yanik celebrates after Clark Fork wins a point Tuesday night.
(Photo courtesy of LESLIE KIEBERT)
Sophomore Paige Valliere celebrates after the Lady Cats win a point during Tuesday's district match against Kootenai.
(Photo courtesy of LESLIE KIEBERT)
CLARK FORK — Clark Fork volleyball is now one win away from advancing to state for the fourth straight year.
The Lady Cats, the second seed in the 1A Division II District 1 tournament, took care of No. 3 Kootenai in three sets Tuesday night to earn a spot in the district final at Mullan.
Clark Fork won 25-5, 25-10, 25-10.
"I was super happy with the girls tonight," head coach Michelle Valliere said. "They played our game and our side of the court. They didn't let what was [happening] on the other side of the court affect them and make them play down, so that was really good."
Sophomore setter Paige Valliere led the team with 17 assists and 11 aces. Junior Caiya Yanik had eight kills and Emily Myers added two digs.
Valliere said she was able to get some of her bench players valuable playing time against the Warriors.
"Paige and Caiya ran a couple plays and got kills on them," she said. "Our serve receive was good and we adjusted to their serves."
The Lady Cats (11-2) head to Mullan at 6 p.m. Thursday for the 1A Division II District 1 final.
Mullan beat Clark Fork in five sets on its home court nearly two weeks ago. On Sept. 8, the Lady Cats bounced the Tigers in straight sets at Mullan.
Valliere said her team needs to just focus on playing their game against the Tigers.
"If the girls play like they did tonight, we'll have no problem, we'll do great and we'll win like the first time we played Mullan," she said. "If the girls don't show up and they are in their heads and let Mullan sneak in, then it's probably going to be a game of five and we'll see who pulls it out."
