For the week of October 15 - 21, 2003

Wolverines (24-9)
tame two ‘Cats,
target SCIC task

League tourney starts Saturday

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The Wood River High School volleyball machine kept clicking on all cylinders Thursday, and the next step is the Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference (SCIC) league tournament.

Coach Tim Richards’ Wolverines (24-9 overall, 8-0 league) clinched the regular-season SCIC title with an easy 25-13, 25-10, 25-15 home victory over the Filer Wildcats Thursday in Hailey.

Later Thursday evening, Wood River (11-2 home) completed its sweep of two visiting ‘Cats with a convincing 25-6, 25-18, 25-15 non-conference triumph over the Burley Bobcats.

Wood River, which hosted Jerome and Declo Tuesday for its "Senior Night," is accustomed to sweeps this season. Eleven times, the Wolverines have played best three-of-five matches, and they’ve swept nine of those.

The Filer match was a good example of Wood River’s superiority.

It was 10-10 in the first game when Charli Lindley (a team-high 13 serves plus 7 kills on 13 attempts) stepped to the service line and ripped off five winners. Jessica King (17 serves, 8 kills on 17 attempts, 2 blocks) maintained the pressure and Hailey breezed 25-13.

Eight service winners by Liz Rippon (15 serves with 2 aces, 4 kills, 2 blocks) got Wood River off to a strong start in the 25-10 second-game rout. Rippon added five kills in the 25-15 third-game triumph.

For the match, Wood River had 33 kills on 77 attempts. Natalie Green (2 blocks, 5 serves) led the attack with nine kills on 17 attempts. Other contributors were Rachael Richards (9 assists, 11 serves, 3 kills), Emily Smith (9 assists, 2 kills) and Hannah Richards (7 serves with 2 aces).

The Wolverines were likewise dominant against 4A Burley. They outpointed the Bobcats 75-39 and were never seriously challenged. Stats:

Kills—Jessica King 12 on 18 attempts with no errors, Natalie Green 7, Liz Rippon 4 and Emily Smith 4. Blocks—Rippon 4, Green 4, Lindley 3, King 3 and Smith 2. Assists—Rachael Richards 10 and Smith 9.

Serves—Rachael Richards 14, Green 13 with 2 aces, Rippon 10, King 8, Smith 8, Lindley 7 with 3 aces and Ryann Menges 5.

Wood River’s next goal is to win the upcoming SCIC tournament and qualify for the State 3A tourney in Coeur d’Alene Oct. 31 as the top-seeded team from the Fourth District.

The Wolverines get a cushy ride through the double elimination tournament, starting with a match against #6-seeded Kimberly Saturday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. at Kimberly. The winner of that match waits until Tuesday, Oct. 22 for the other teams to duke it out.

Championship match is Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Kimberly. The finalist teams both earn berths to the State 3A tournament. But much will be riding on Wednesday’s title match because of state seeding.

For instance, the SCIC champion will have its opening state match against the playoff-determined runner-up team from the First, Second and Third districts. The SCIC runner-up will meet the Fifth District champion, usually the stronghold of volleyball powers Preston and Bear Lake.

The Wolverines have won three straight SCIC tournament titles and boast of eight league volleyball championships in nine years. But this is Hailey’s last year competing at the 3A level. They move to 4A next fall.

 

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