Wampus Cats beat Kootenai for state berth

| October 23, 2011 9:00 PM

CLARK FORK - Clark Fork cemented its status as the top volleyball team in the North Star League, sweeping Kootenai 25-19, 25-12, 25-16 in the 1A Division II championship match on Saturday night.

The crowd chanted "on to state, on to state" after the final point, familiar words for a program that earned a state trophy two years ago and continues to punch their ticket to state year after year.

Celeste Komanec posted 11 assists and eight aces, Brocklynn Thornton added six kills and Dimi Kailang five digs, three aces and two kills for the Wampus Cats (20-4), whose only defeats this year have come against 3A competition.

The Cats boast plenty of state experience, and have the firepower and defense to not just make some noise, but possibly make a run at a state title.

"I like that they go out and get the job done," said Wampus Cat coach Michelle Adams, who feels a trophy is well within reach. "We'll need to run our offense and dig every ball that comes out way."

Brie Benson tallied six kills, Olivia Kincheloe five assists and Kirsten Scheffelmaier three digs in defeat for Kootenai (5-13), which had designs on an upset.

"They fought so hard to get here and deserved to be here. I thought it was our turn to beat Clark Fork," said Warriors coach Jessica Hammond, who thinks the Wampus Cats will do the North Star League proud at state. "I think they'll be a team to beat. They hit really well."

Clark Fork opens the 1A Division II state tournament vs. Tri-Valley on Friday at 1 p.m. at Lewiston High.