Back to Back! Lady Bulldogs win second straight state championship

Fire trucks blared down Main Street on Saturday night to celebrate the Lovell volleyball team’s second straight state championship. The Lady Bulldogs dropped just one set during the tournament on their way to the fourth title in school history.

Lovell opened Thursday with a three-set sweep of fourth-seeded Newcastle. After a slow start, the Lady Bulldogs settled into the noisy arena and won the first set 25-10. Their offense kept rolling in the next two sets, securing 25-15 and 25-16 wins.

The Lady Bulldogs brought energy and determination to Friday’s semifinal against Mountain View. Avery Walker opened the first set with a kill that echoed through the arena and drew both benches’ attention. Lovell built a 10-5 lead, then held off the Lady Buffs’ offense to win 25-23.

Both teams blocked well in the second set, but Brooklin Clark and Kandace Asay helped give Lovell the edge. Their blocks produced points for the Lady Bulldogs, who won 25-21.

Lovell’s blocking and steady offensive pressure wore down Mountain View in the third set as the Lady Bulldogs won the set 25-14 to complete the sweep and advance to the championship match.

“Our girls stayed focused and earned a victory in three straight sets,” Coach Tera Kostelecky noted. “That win sent us to the championship match against Tongue River. They (Mountain View) had a strong block and featured the 3A Defensive Player of the Year. Our girls continued to attack aggressively, just as they had all season.”

Saturday’s championship match pitted Lovell against Tongue River in the Battle of the Big Horns. The Lady Bulldogs entered the arena with their season goal within reach.

The teams traded hard-fought points early in the first set before Tongue River took an 11-9 lead. Lovell rallied to go ahead 15-12, prompting a Tongue River timeout. The Lady Eagles could not slow the rally, and Lovell won 25-15. The Lady Bulldogs followed with a 25-16 win in the second set.

Backed by a boisterous crowd, Tongue River fought through another close set to win the third 25-23, handing Lovell its only set loss of the tournament.

Tension rose on the Lovell bench before the fourth set as coaches paced and tried to calm nerves with candy and squishy toys. On the court, the Lady Bulldogs built a 10-5 lead through hard-fought points. By then, every other match at the Ford Center had ended, leaving all eyes on Lovell. Ali Walker delivered the match-ending spike to secure a 25-19 set win and clinch the Lady Bulldogs’ second consecutive Class 3A state championship.

“This team worked hard all year to accomplish this goal. They continually pushed themselves to improve each day—and they did exactly that. I could not be more proud of this group. Their leadership, dedication and hard work have left a lasting impact on this team and our program,” Kostelecky said.

Lovell will graduate seven seniors, but a deep bench offers promise as the Lady Bulldogs look to build on their back-to-back titles. The team proved that they are indeed relentless, befitting their season motto.