This was a great season of learning, building teamwork and most importantly, fun. The girls worked hard this year and really seemed to bond throughout the months. A lot of hours were spent in the off season getting better and this year proved that hard work does pay off.”

Coach Shaylee Mortimore

CASPER – The Torrington High School Lady Blazers volleyball team battled three tough opponents at the 3A state championships in Casper from November 7-9, culminating in a clean sweep against Lovell in the consolation bracket on Friday afternoon.

In the opening match on Thursday, Torrington squared off against the No. 2 seed from the west, the Powell Lady Panthers. Despite a rally by the Lady Blazers in the third set, Powell won in four, 3-1.

Torrington found itself in the consolation quarterfinals against the Lovell Lady Bulldogs. The Lady Blazers’ choice to keep fighting at the state tournament paid off with a 3-0 victory for Torrington.

Torrington ultimately fell to Wheatland in the consolation semifinals on Saturday morning in three.

The Lady Blazers finished the regular season with a solid 21-14 overall record and a 6-4 conference record. Torrington rallied at the 3A East regional tournament in Douglas to capture third place after sweeping Rawlins in the consolation finals.

“This was a great season of learning, building teamwork and most importantly, fun,” coach Shaylee Mortimore said. “The girls worked hard this year and really seemed to bond throughout the months. A lot of hours were spent in the off season getting better and this year proved that hard work does pay off.”

The Lady Blazers came together to accomplish their goals and encourage each other, Mortimore added.

“The leadership and sportsmanship on the team was more than just one person,” Mortimore continued. “I’m so proud of this group and I’m excited to see what the future holds. As for now, I wish them all the best of luck in their future sports and activities. Thank you, girls, for a great season.”

Powell

The Lady Blazers battled Powell through four sets. Powell won the first two sets by a 25-13 margin.

Torrington fought back to win the third set, 25-17. The fourth set turned into a point-for-point battle with Powell ultimately winning by four, 25-21.

Senior Olive Osmera led the Lady Blazers on offense with nine kills. Junior Natalie Long tallied seven kills, junior Brooklyn Asmus four, senior Teryn Stokes three with two apiece by junior Trishell Pontarolo and freshman Logan Dyer.

Osmera and Dyer both aced two serves while Long served one ace.

Freshman Ellis Mortimore delivered 12 assists and Long 11.

On defense, senior Jaycee Hurley covered the floor with 27 digs. Dyer reached up for four blocks. Stokes contributed three blocks, Long two and Osmera, Asmus and Pontarolo each one.

Lovell

The Lady Blazers swept Lovell, 25-19, 25-19 and 25-21.

Osmera set the pace for the Lady Blazers offense with 11 kills. Asmus tallied eight, Long four, Stokes three, Dyer two and Pontarolo one.

On the service line, Osmera scored four aces. Long served up one ace with one apiece by junior Nakaya Sippel, Mortimore and Stokes.

Long delivered 15 assists and Mortimore set up 11.

Hurley played libero and totaled 18 digs.

Defensively, Osmera reached up for two blocks with one apiece from Pontarolo and Stokes.

Wheatland

In the consolation semifinals on Saturday, Torrington came up short against Wheatland in three sets, 25-14, 25-18 and 25-15.

Osmera and Asmus both tallied seven kills against Wheatland. Long, Wilson, Dyer and Stokes each contributed three kills with one apiece by Hurley, Mortimore and Pontarolo.

Mortimore aced one serve and Long delivered 17 assists.

Defensively, Osmera, Asmus and Stokes recorded one block apiece. Hurley and Long both totaled 14 digs.