YODER – The Southeast High School Lady Cyclones swept the Lingle-Fort Laramie (LFL) Lady Doggers at the annual cross-county rivalry match hosted by Southeast on Thursday, October 10.

The Lady Cyclones won the first set, 25-15. LFL rebounded to make the second set close, although Southeast remained ahead through game point, 25-20.

The Lady Cyclones triumphed in the third set, 25-14.

Southeast’s victory demonstrated the Lady Cyclones’ strong team chemistry, coach Monica Anderson said.

“The highlight from Thursday’s game is that we are just playing well as a team,” Anderson added. “At any given time, our three hitters were capable of putting the ball away. In the back row, great passes were key to getting the ball up and making it playable. This is not a team built on one or two players – everyone contributed to the win. We are just gelling.”

The Lady Cyclones’ win was a “great test” for its athletes on a physical, mental and emotional level against a tough opponent from across the county, Anderson said.

While LFL ultimately came up short, the game provided an opportunity for the team to readjust and identify areas for improvement as conference play heats up, coach Emily Cottrell said.

“I looked at the game after some reflection and saw that the errors we made were all things we can control – missed serves, passing off target,” Cottrell added. “While the game did not go anywhere like we had hoped, we have a chance to work on those adjustments and fix things we can control. It wasn’t pretty but gives us a look at where we can improve and work towards before we play (Southeast) again and head into regionals.”

LFL junior Skyla Wunder was named the WyoPreps athlete of the week on October 9 for her strong performance against Niobrara County and at the Morrill tournament the previous weekend when Wunder tallied 15 kills, along with 38 assists, 38 digs, eight blocks and six aces.

Set by set

LFL scored the first point in the opening set with a block by sophomore Charlotte Speckner and junior Hallie Fuller. Southeast responded with a kill by junior Hadley Leithead and an ace from senior Brooklyn Leithead.

Fuller aced a serve and the set tied at four. Southeast pulled up, 5-4, with a kill from sophomore Brylie Booth.

The set deadlocked again at five when LFL senior Grace Gibson powered over a kill. A block by Wunder placed the Lady Doggers ahead, 6-5.

Southeast took control of the set at seven with a kill by senior Angie Logsdon. A three-point run widened the Lady Cyclones’ advantage, 9-7, and included an ace by junior Keana Llewellyn, a kill from senior Anna Hartman and a block by Brooklyn Leithead and Hartman.

Booth aced two serves and Southeast led, 12-7.

Additional kills by Brooklyn Leithead, Logsdon and Booth maintained Southeast’s initiative. 

LFL initially prevented Southeast from scoring game point with a kill by junior Jordynn Speckner. 

Southeast established an early 8-4 lead in the second set. The Lady Doggers battled back with blocks by Jordynn Speckner, Wunder, Charlotte Speckner and senior Brenly Shipp.

Southeast came up short in returning a serve by LFL senior Kenzi Wilkins and the set reached a stalemate at 10.

Southeast fired back with kills by Hadley Leithead and Logsdon. Brooklyn Leithead reached up for two blocks and aced a pair of serves to place the Lady Cyclones up, 21-16.

A kill by Hadley Leithead resulted in 21 for Southeast. Llewellyn defended the net with a block and Logsdon scored game point with a kill, 25-20.

Southeast went on to win the third set, 25-14. On LFL’s side of the net, Shipp tallied a kill, an ace and a block. Fuller, Charlotte Speckner and Jordynn Speckner contributed a kill.

On the Lady Cyclones’ end, Hadley Leithead, Brooklyn Leithead, Booth and junior libero Taylor Tregemba each delivered kills in the third set. Hadley Leithead and Brooklyn Leithead both aced serves with Llewllyn serving up an ace for game point.