Lovell netters punch their ticket to State

By: 
Joe Koritnik

It’s time!

For the Lovell High School volleyball team after a seven-year hiatus, “It’s time!” stated head coach Tera Kostelecky on the Lady Bulldogs qualifying for the Class 3A State Volleyball Tournament this Thursday through Saturday in Casper.

“I’m super excited for this group of kids as they have worked hard and have been dedicated to the game,” Kostelecky said. “We have been climbing all year and finally reached the goal we set out for back in early August.” The state tournament will be the first for Lovell since they played in the Class 2A tournament in 2017.

The road to the state tournament started with a first-round match against the number one ranked Cody Fillies, and after a slow start, losing the first two sets 25-11 and 25-16, Coach Kostelecky made a lineup change, moving to a 5-1 offensive formation and putting in two different outside hitters.

The result was an exciting 27-25 win, and although Cody closed out the match by winning the fourth set 25-19, the Lady Bulldogs had raised their level of play.

“We were able to eliminate some errors and change the dynamics on the floor. Seeing that success helped us prepare for Saturday,” Kostelecky noted.

The first elimination match on Saturday was against the Lander Valley Tigers, and Lovell continued their strong play with a 25-20, 25-14, 19-25, 25-23 victory.

“We knew it would be a fight, but also, we had nothing to lose,” Kostelecky said.
“I was extremely proud of
Ali and Avery Walker for stepping up and staying mentally tough with situations at the varsity level. They put up a strong block and hit the ball well.”

Standing in the way of Lovell’s trip to State were the Mountain View Buffaloes, who had lost on Friday night in the semi-finals to Powell. Though the match was very close and competitive, the Lady Bulldogs were stronger at the net with Celeste Lindsay getting several kills and Breeah Jones and Kennadee Owens blocking well at the net.

Lovell won the first two sets 25-19 and 25-21, but Mountain View rallied to win the third set 25-20, setting up a crucial fourth set. With Lovell’s defense playing extremely well, the Lady Bulldogs dominated the set 25-10 to win the match and qualify for state.

“Our bench was hyped and celebrating. There were more Lovell fans than I have seen in a long time courtside,” noted Coach Kostelecky.

“Our defense was doing everything possible to keep the ball off our side, and everything fell into place. Kindle Collins and Jenna Hessenthaler had great defensive plays. None of the success was singled. From the ground up we were a unit, and it paid off!” Coach Kostelecky added when asked about the keys to Lovell’s success.

Playing their third match of the day on Saturday Lovell faced the Pinedale Wranglers for third place in the tournament. Pinedale had qualified for State by defeating Lyman and were also playing very good volleyball at the right time. Lovell fell behind 17-20 in the first set, but a kill by Lindsay and a block by Owens started the Lady Bulldogs on a rally that would lift them to a 26-24 win. However, the Wrangers would take the next three sets 25-18, 25-21 and 29-27 to win the match and third place with Lovell finishing as the fourth seed from the West Conference.

The number two ranked Douglas Bearcats will be awaiting Lovell in their first-round match at State on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper. Lovell had played Douglas early in the season, however, Coach Kostelecky feels her team has learned a whole new system and has grown so much from that early contest.

“I know Douglas is well coached and will be tough, but I know we can compete. I think Lovell is being underestimated, and we have what it takes,” noted Kostelecky regarding her thoughts about the opening match at state.

Keys for Lovell to win at state will be to keep up their strong blocking.

“We are a strong blocking team” Kostelecky said. “If we can get a hand on balls, we can dig it up. We have a strong back row and are strong at the net. Douglas is always a good serving team, and we will need to gain an understanding of the new atmosphere at State and adapt to the depth perception.

“All it takes to defeat Douglas is our unit. All of us. Giving every ounce we have in our hearts and tank. We are the underdogs, but our story is just beginning!”

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