Moundridge spikers stop Lebo for 2A state title

The past couple of state tournaments have been ones of frustration for the Moundridge High School volleyball team.

After coming close but falling short of the state title the past two years, the Wildcats broke through in strong fashion Saturday at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays to regain the title for the first time since 2006.

In the semifinals, Moundridge downed Valley Heights 25-22, 25-20. In the championship match, Moundridge downed Lebo 25-15, 25-20.

Moundridge needed three games to down Lebo in pool play Friday but had a much easier time in the championship match.

“Friday, we played their style of ball,” Moundridge coach Bethany Trimble said. “They like to tip a lot. They pick a lot of balls up. We didn’t hit very well, and when we don’t hit very well, we don’t play well. Today, we came out and hammer it.”

Moundridge wins its eighth title overall. The Wildcats were second last season and third the year before.

“I think we just wanted it so much this year,” Trimble said. “We weren’t scared this year. Last year, I think we a little bit scared in that championship game. We had a lot of kids who hadn’t been in the championship game before. Our seniors really came through for us.”

Trimble is in her second year as Moundridge coach.

“To able to be have this high level of play at Moundridhge for my first coaching experience has been fantastic,” Trimble said.

Moundridge loses eight seniors but returns four underclassmen — a junior and four sophomores.

Senior Jessie Vogts led the Wildcat attack. In the final game of the tournament, she had nine kills, including the final two points of the match.

“They were pretty awesome,” Vogts said. “I was pretty excited. I was getting great sets from Holli Wolf. This has been amazing. We came out so confident. We didn’t play well Friday. I didn’t feel good. I was sick. I felt so much better today. Our student section was wonderful.”

“It was awesome,” Wolf said. “We came so close the last two years. To finally win it was awesome.”

Besides hitting, the Wildcats were able to pick up Lebo’s hits in the championship match.

“Our defense was pretty good,” Wolf said. “They were hitting the ball pretty well, so our defense was key.”

In the first game of the finals, Moundridge took an 18-8 lead and traded points until game point. The second game was closer early. Lebo led by as many as three early. Tied 8-8, Moundridge made an 11-6 run. Lebo closed to within two, 22-20, but the Wildcats closed out the game with a 3-1 run.

Lebo ends the season 38-6. Moundridge ends the season 36-9.

Class 2A State

Volleyball

at Hays

Saturday’s matches

Semifinals — Lebo def. Oberlin 18-25, 26-24, 25-21; Moundridge def. Valley Heights 25-22, 25-20.

Third place — Valley Heights def. Oberlin 25-15, 20-25, 25-20

Championship — Moundridge def. Lebo 25-15, 25-20