STATE VOLLEYBALL: Lakeland settles for second in 5A

| November 3, 2024 1:20 AM

IDAHO FALLS — The Lakeland Hawks nearly completed a comeback for the ages Saturday.

After dropping its first match of the tournament to eighth-seeded Twin Falls, the top-seeded Hawks battled back through the losers bracket over the next two days at the state 5A volleyball tournament at the Mountain America Center.

Lakeland won two loser-out matches on Friday, then won three more on Saturday, forcing a second championship match before falling to Twin Falls once again, 25-21, 25-21.

“Our team showcased immense heart and resilience throughout the state tournament,” seventh-year Lakeland coach Kelsie Badger said. “Despite a tough opening loss, they never let it define them. They battled back, match after match, with grit and determination that took them all the way to the championship game.”

Lakeland (26-13) was bidding for its second state title in five years, having won its first state title in program history in 2020. The Hawks were in the state title match for the third time in program history — the first was in 1988, when St. Maries won.

Lakeland began its day Saturday with a 25-12, 25-19, 25-20 victory over seventh-seeded Wood River, the Wolverines finishing fourth.

The Hawks then beat third-seeded Idaho Falls 25-20, 24-26, 25-22, 25-12, the Tigers finishing third.

Lakeland then handed Twin Falls its first loss of the double-elimination tournament, 25-19, 25-13, 25-14, in the first championship match, forcing a best-of-3-sets deciding match for the state title.

Twin Falls (20-16) won its second state title in program history, the first title coming in 2021.

Against Wood River, senior and Weber State commit Ziya Munyer had 18 kills for Lakeland. Junior Alyssa Ryckman added 14 kills and nine digs, senior Landree Simon 13 kills, 14 digs and three aces, senior Olivia Zazuetta 43 assists, senior Addy Jo Hocking 18 digs, senior Lexi Levesque 12 digs.

Against Idaho Falls, Munyer had 24 kills, six blocks and two aces. Simon had 17 kills and 18 digs, Ryckman seven kills, 10 digs and two blocks, Zazuetta 48 assists, Hocking 29 digs, Levesque 12 digs.

Against Twin Falls in the first championship match, Munyer had 17 kills, three blocks and two aces, Simon nine kills and 12 digs, Zazuetta 30 assists and three aces, Ryckman 12 digs, Levesque 10 digs, Hocking 15 digs.

Against Twin Falls in the deciding title match, Ryckman had seven kills and 11 digs, Munyer six kills and six blocks, Zazuetta 11 assists and nine digs, Simon 10 digs, Hocking nine digs.

Under Badger, Lakeland has brought a trophy home in each of its four appearances at state — including fourth-place finishes in 2019 and ‘23.

“We couldn’t be prouder of how each player stepped up and supported one another, showing what true teamwork is all about,” Badger said. “Every point was hard-fought, and they left everything on the court. This team has shown that setbacks don’t hold them back — they only make them stronger. We’re so proud of their performance and the dedication they brought to each game.”

STATE HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENTS

At Mountain America Center,

Idaho Falls

Owyhee d. Centennial 25-19, 25-18, 25-18 (No. 4 Centennial (31-6) fourth)

Madison d. Skyview (25-23, 14-25, 24-26, 27-25, 15-6 (semifinal)

Skyview d. Owyhee 22-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-21 (No. 3 Owyhee (29-6) third)

No. 2 Madison (36-2) d. No. 1 Skyview (28-7) 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-21 (championship)

At Mountain America Center,

Idaho Falls

Lakeland d. Wood River 25-12, 25-19, 25-20 (No. 7 Wood River (23-17) fourth)

Twin Falls d. Idaho Falls 22-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-13 (semifinal)

Lakeland d. Idaho Falls 25-20, 24-26, 25-22, 25-12 (No. 3 Idaho Falls (27-14) third)

Lakeland d. Twin Falls 25-19, 25-13, 25-14 (forces second championship match)

No. 8 Twin Falls (20-16) d. No. 1 Lakeland (26-13) 25-21, 25-21 (championship)

At Lake City High, Coeur d’Alene

Fruitland d. Cole Valley Christian 25-14, 25-13, 25-15 (No. 4 Cole Valley Christian (17-11) fourth)

Bear Lake d. Kimberly 25-20, 16-25, 25-12, 19-25, 15-8 (semifinal)

Fruitland d. Kimberly 25-19, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22 (No. 3 Kimberly (21-9) third)

No. 1 Bear Lake (32-3) d. No. 2 Fruitland (29-5) 25-17, 21-25, 25-22, 25-19 (championship)

At Memorial Gym, Moscow

Nampa Christian d. Ambrose 25-17, 25-22, 25-15 (No. 3 Ambrose (26-12) fourth

Melba d. Malad 19-25, 25-22, 25-18, 22-25, 15-9 (semifinal)

Malad d. Nampa Christian (25-19, 25-16, 25-20 (No. 4 Nampa Christian (18-12) third)

No. 1 Melba (31-3) d. No. 2 Malad (31-10) 25-2, 25-19, 25-22 (championship)

At Jerome High

Oakley d. Hagerman 25-14, 25-14, 25-23 (No. 3 Hagerman (22-7) fourth

Butte County d. Troy 25-23, 25-19, 22-25, 25-15 (semifinal)

Oakley d. Troy 25-15, 25-19, 25-18 (No. 1 Troy 31-4) third)

Match 14 — No. 2 Butte County (42-8) d. No. 4 Oakley (25-14) 25-13, 14-25, 25-6, 25-16 (championship)

At Canyon Ridge High, Twin Falls

Rockland d. Genesee 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 25-17 (No. 4 Genesee (26-11) fourth)

Grace Lutheran d. Horseshoe Bend 25-18, 25-22, 25-22 (semifinal)

Horseshoe Bend d. Rockland 17-25, 25-20, 18-25, 25-12, 15-12 (No. 1 Rockland (26-7) third)

No. 5 Grace Lutheran (27-5) d. No. 2 Horseshoe Bend (30-7) 25-23, 25-12, 25-23 (championship)