Making progress with every match, the Wood River High School volleyball team placed third of 10 schools in the 32nd annual Wood River Invitational tournament Friday and Saturday at the Hailey gym.
Wood River won its pool at the two-day tournament and had a shot to play favored Idaho Falls in the winner bracket final of the championship bracket. But reigning Idaho 5A titlist Idaho Falls swept the Wolverines in two games and went on to win its fifth straight Wood River title.
Senior co-captain Kori Paradis of Wood River made the All-Tournament team as the Wolverines won four of its seven matches over two days including a big upset victory over last year’s State 5A tourney consolation champ Borah of Boise.
Coach Tim Richards of Wood River said, “Another outstanding Wood River volleyball tournament—a great experience for our sophomores and the rest of the team.”
Wood River started slowly with a loss to Mountain Home in Friday’s first match of pool play. The Wolverines reeled off three straight triumphs over Filer, Preston and Borah for what Richards called a well-deserved first place in its pool.
A rematch with Mountain Home ended up with a 25-16, 25-20 Wolverine victory in Saturday’s championship bracket tournament. That gave Wood River a ticket to play Idaho Falls, which ended up in a 25-16, 25-17 win by the Tigers.
Richards said, “The girls enjoyed their rematch and win against Mountain Home before meeting Idaho Falls. Against them, we learned a lot about the speed of the game and bigger blocks and better defenses, and showed a lot of heart being tied 17-17 in the second game.”
Timberline of Boise, another State 5A qualifier from 2011, ousted Wood River 13-25, 25-16, 15-6 with superior hitting.
About his players, Richards said, “Ciceley Peavey played an excellent defensive tournament, as did Haley Cutler. Brittney Bradley led in assists. Kori Paradis and Lily Richards led us in kills. Madi Hendrix improved and contributed many points on her serve.”
Among statistical highlights for Wood River: Lily Richards (7 kills, no errors in 15 attacks) and Paradis (7 kills, 3 errors of 21 attacks) against Timberline; Paradis (8 kills) and Richards (5 kills) against Idaho Falls;
Paradis (8 kills, 5 errors out of 23 swings) and Richards (7 kills, 2 errors in 22 swings) in the second Mountain Home match; Paradis (9 kills, 0 errors of 19 swings) and Richards (6 kills, 1 error of 17 swings) in the big match against Borah; and Madi Hendrix (4 kills, 1 error of 9 swings) with Borah.
Last Tuesday, Wood River (11-9, 2-1 league) earned its second Great Basin Conference win 25-16, 25-19, 22-25, 26-24 over the Bobcats. Leading the way were Paradis (15 kills, 6 blocks) and Richards (25 service points, 5 kills). Bradley added 20 assists while Peavey and Cutler played great defense. Hendrix had 4 kills out of 15 swings.
Wood River hosted Minico Tuesday night and entertains reigning Great Basin champion Twin Falls today, Wednesday.
WR tourney wrap-up
All-Tournament Team
( Most Valuable Player—Marley Taylor, Idaho Falls, 6-1 senior middle hitter
( Katy Robinson, Kimberly, 6-0 senior outside hitter
( Jayden Blanchfield, Borah, 5-11 senior middle blocker
( Sarah Barker, Timberline, 5-5 junior setter
( Kori Paradis, Wood River, 6-0 senior middle hitter
( Kerington Storms, Idaho Falls, 5-8 senior setter
( Selena Foster, Mountain Home, junior
Tournament scores
6-team Championship Bracket: Final match—Idaho Falls 25-18, 25-14 over Timberline. Semi-final—Timberline 13-25, 25-16, 15-6 over Wood River.
Winner bracket matches—Borah 27-25, 25-15 over Timberline; Mountain Home 25-22, 25-20 over Kimberly; Idaho Falls 25-17, 25-8 over Borah; Wood River 25-16, 25-20 over Mountain Home; Idaho Falls 25-16, 25-17 over Wood River. Loser bracket matches—Borah 25-16, 25-17 over Kimberly; Timberline 25-22, 25-17 over Mountain Home; Timberline 25-19, 15-25, 15-6 over Borah.
4-team Consolation Bracket: Final match—Filer 25-15, 25-17 over Burley. Semi-final—Burley 25-20, 22-25, 15-5 over Kuna.
Other matches—Kuna 22-25, 25-21, 15-11 over Preston; Filer 25-18, 25-17 over Burley; Filer 15-25, 25-22, 15-10 over Kuna; Burley 25-22, 25-21 over Preston.
Pool A play (match records): Wood River 3-1, Borah 2-2, Mountain Home 2-2, Preston 2-2, Filer 1-3. Pool B play: Idaho Falls 4-0, Kimberly 3-1, Timberline 2-2, Burley 1-3, Kuna 0-4.
