On to State for Weiser High School’s volleyball team

While the rest of Weiser is dressed up in costumes and celebrating Halloween today, Oct. 31,  Weiser High School’s volleyball team is on the court in Coeur d’Alene taking a run at a 4A State title after defeating District 4’s Filer 3-1 in a play-in qualifier on Saturday, Oct. 26.

 Making their way through the 4A District 3 tournament, the Lady Wolverines won the opener against Homedale, 3-0 on Saturday, Oct. 19, followed by a 0-3 loss to first-seed Fruitland the same day. 

 Weiser’s state berth quest didn’t end there, meeting the Emmett Lady Huskies on the home court on Tuesday, Oct. 22, where the Wolverines took a 3-0 win, 25-20, 25-9, and 25-9.

 Weiser’s match statistics: Madi Wilkins, 15 assists, 100 percent serve in, 2 aces, 7 kills, and 14 digs; Presley Williams, 13 assists, 3 aces, and 5 digs; Jordan Stromberg, 100 percent serves in, and 3 aces; Ellie Shirts, 2 aces, and 14 digs; Paisley Noyer, 4 blocks, and 5 kills; Evie Dolton, 1 block, and 6 kills; Lucy Hickey, 10 kills, and 4 digs; and Adalyn Brush, 6 digs, and 1 kill.

 Traveling to McCall on Thursday, Oct. 24, to determine who would move on to a State play-in qualifier on Saturday, the Wolverines rose to the challenge in a nail-biter. After taking losses in the first two sets, 14-25 and 22-25, the Wolverines came back with three wins, 25-19, 25-19, and 15-13.

 Against McCall: Wilkins, 21 digs, 6 kills, 100 percent of 29 serves in, 1 ace, and 21 assists;

Williams, 18 assists, 1 ace, 1 kill, and 8 digs; Kailee Lerew 1 ace, and 17 digs; Shirts, 5 assists, and 29 digs; Noyer, 4 blocks, 9 kills, and 7 digs; Hailey Eames, 3 blocks, 1 assist, 2 kills, and 3 digs; Dolton, 1 block, 10 kills, and 7 digs; Hickey, 1 block, 15 kills, and 7 digs; Kamryn Doty, 5 kills, and 6 digs; and Brush 2 kills, and 11 digs.

 Coming through Districts the long way around only served to put more playing time under the Wolverines belts, and it was clear on Saturday, Oct. 26, in Mountain Home they were there to compete against District 4’s Filer Lady Wildcats.

 The Wildcats weren’t in the match to be easy pickings, either, and each set went long. Weiser came out on top in the first two, 25-21 and 28-26, but the Wildcats battled their way to a 25-21 win in the third set.

 The Wolverines ended the match in the fourth set, with a 25-21 win and a well-earned trip to this weekend’s State tournament, rounding out the SRV count of teams at State to three.

 Team stats: Wilkins, 21 assists, 100 percent serves in, 2 aces, 8 kills, and 23 digs; Williams, 16 assists, 4 aces, and 3 digs; Shirts, 4 aces, 1 kill, and 29 digs; Lerew, 1 ace, and 12 digs; Brush, 1 ace, and 11 digs; Hickey, 3 blocks, 9 kills, and 3 digs; Noyer, 3 blocks, 12 kills, and 2 digs; Dolton, 2 blocks, 12 kills, and 5 digs; Doty, 2 blocks, 2 kills, and 12 digs; Eames, 1 block, 2 kills, and 5 digs; and Stromberg, 2 digs.

 “The past week has been an amazing adrenaline rush as we have battled the No. 3 ranked team on their home court for the right to go to the state play-in game,” Coach Michelle Estes said. “Winning that match against McCall was a highlight and then meeting Filer at the state play-in game for the second year in a row with a chance for redemption after last season’s loss to Filer.

 “I couldn’t be more proud of this team and the leadership I have observed this season,” Estes said. “It had been even more pronounced as we entered the final two matches to get to state. They have laid it all on the court against McCall and Filer. Playing unselfishly, playing to win, being aggressive, going for every ball and celebrating the success of their teammates. They have been genuinely excited for each other and have encouraged each other in the tough moments. I am beyond blessed to get this bonus week with the girls.”

 Going into the tournament seeded fifth, the Lady Wolverines open State competition today at 7 p.m. PDT against fourth seed Cole Valley Christian Chargers.