By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER
After two failed serve attempts for both Lone Peak High School and Manhattan High School, the score in the fifth and final set of the Big Horns’ last home volleyball match was tied 14-14. The game was anyone’s, which wasn’t the case just a month ago when the Tigers swept the Big Horns 3-0 in the Manhattan High School gymnasium.
Two hours and 25 minutes into Lone Peak’s senior night game on Oct. 19, senior captain Claire Hoadley lifted the ball to serve and delivered it barely in reach of a Manhattan player. The crowd’s cheers rose as an uncharacteristically scrambling Manhattan back line failed to control the ball: 15-14 Big Horns.
Manhattan’s coach called for a 60-second timeout. When the set continued, Hoadley lifted the ball to serve again. The Tigers returned it out of bounds for a final match score of 3-2 Big Horns.
Head coach Ashley Muckway beamed as the girls celebrated a home game and senior night win. “Words can’t describe how hard they’ve worked to get to this point,” Muckway said. On Sept. 19 the Big Horns lost “pretty bad” to the same team, she added.
“They came back with a vengeance,” Muckway said. “And [Manhattan] is a good team. I mean, they can swing. And they’re smart.”
She said that the senior leadership this season has been unbelievable and that the younger girls stepped in to lift them up this time. “Tonight, the seniors were there, they showed up like they always do, but everyone else on the team showed up for them,” Muckway said.
The first set ended in a 32-touch game point for a Big Horn win. Senior captain Aubrey Farr’s dig instincts were on full display as she dove to keep Lone Peak in play in a close 25-23 set.
In sets two and three, Manhattan sophomore Savannah Droge and senior Morgan Pavlik kept the Big Horns on their toes with heavy hits and strategic placement, often going for kills back-to-back to win points. The Tigers advanced to a 2-1 lead.
Farr responded to Manhattan’s efforts in the fourth and fifth set, stopping strikes directed short on the court and toward the middle. As Muckway said, the team stepped up for its seniors with juniors Stella Haas, Avery Graham and Lily Turner serving, setting and finishing the ball. Collaborative blocks by Haas and senior captain Addy Malinowski supported a string of Big Horn points in the fourth set, crucial to their victory that forced the fifth set.
Hoadley said that everyone fought hard for the final home game and senior night win. “It’s a big deal to me, and it means a lot. It’s going to be a memory that I carry with me forever.”
She explained that the Big Horns found their groove again in the fourth set. “All it takes is one play, one good save to bring everybody’s energy up. And as soon as everyone’s excited like that: one kill, one pass, one amazing set, that’s all it takes.”
Senior Eva Mitchell won’t be able to make the next two away games and said that the win was a great way to end the regular season.
“It’s been so fun,” Mitchell said. “I’ve been with most of them since like third grade. So it was super fun to play with them throughout this whole time.”
Before the game started on Saturday, coaches, teammates and families honored the LPHS volleyball seniors with brief speeches and flowers.
Farr was the first to be honored. The senior is undecided on college and studies, and Haas shared some words about her teammate. “She’s always encouraging everyone on the team to get to know each other and be proud of each other … Overall, Aubrey has been a fantastic all-around teammate and the best-ever partner I could ask for. I’m going to miss my white jersey next year.”
Applause sounded for senior Libby Coltea next. Coltea would like to study pre-med and is excited about where the future will take her. Turner spoke about her teammate and friend. “Libby has been the heart and soul of our volleyball team since she moved here last year, bringing unmatched energy and enthusiasm to every game and practice,” Turner said. “Even outside of volleyball, Libby is an incredible friend.”
Mitchell was next to be recognized and Graham spoke about the senior. “You are such an amazing teammate and have been the most supportive girl on the team throughout everything. We love you so much and I’m so excited to see where you go in life over the next year,” Graham said.
Malinowski walked out to cheers and her teammate and friend, junior Carla Mansilla, shared some words to celebrate her. “As a team captain, she leads with passion and encouragement. When we are winning, she is ecstatic. And when we are losing, she finds a way to motivate us to play better,” Mansilla said. “Addy, your kindness and beast skills at sports will take you so far.”
Lastly, Hoadley walked out with her family. Hoadley will play volleyball at Rocky Mountain College next year and sophomore Penelope Brooke noted her leadership skills. “Claire is an amazing volleyball player as well as a huge inspiration. She always finds a way to help people, especially the younger girls, with improving their skills … She is such an important contribution to the team and we will miss her a ton next year,” Brooke said.
And with speeches done, the seniors began their last regular season match on their home court, enthralling the Big Sky crowd with a victory.
