With this group, I knew as I looked at them (between sets) they were locked and loaded and ready to finish just like in key matches earlier this season. I was proud of the team – it’s easy to get down on yourself after falling in two sets. But they came back with purpose to win.”

Coach Monica Anderson

CASPER – The third-place match between the Southeast High School Lady Cyclones and the Upton Lady Bobcats at the 1A state championships in Casper on Saturday, November 9 reflected Southeast’s ability to rally from a loss and triumph.

The Lady Cyclones fell in the first two sets to Upton. Digging deep, Southeast battled back in a reverse sweep against the Lady Bobcats to snag the third-place trophy at state.

Southeast’s tenacity and positive energy remained intact throughout the rollercoaster ride at the state tournament as the Lady Cyclones played 18 sets over the course of three exhausting days.

The Lady Cyclones commenced the tournament with a five-set, point-for-point battle against Riverside on Thursday, November 7. Southeast scored two decisive points to win the fifth set and post a 3-2 victory against Riverside.

Advancing to the semifinals on Friday evening, Southeast fell to Cokeville in three sets.

Playing in the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper is a “whole different ball game,” coach Monica Anderson said, posing challenges from a lack of air resistance on the floor to noise and distractions.

“The girls did a really good job adapting to these changes and learning quickly,” Anderson said. “They kept their focus well throughout the tournament. Cokeville is a tough opponent and we just didn’t finish in that game. We got to 20 and stalled out in the first two sets.”

Finding themselves in the consolation bracket early Saturday morning, the Lady Cyclones chose to keep fighting rather than throw in the towel and beat Encampment in five, 3-2.

Resolved to end the tournament on a high note, Southeast triumphed against Upton, 3-2, securing the consolation title in the process.

“Upton came out ready and had a plan,” Anderson said. “We were a little slower starting. But with this group, I knew as I looked at them (between sets) they were locked and loaded and ready to finish just like in key matches earlier this season. I was proud of the team – it’s easy to get down on yourself after falling in two sets. But they came back with purpose to win.”

Three wins at state capped off a successful season for the Lady Cyclones with an overall 26-4 record. Southeast went undefeated in conference play with a 9-0 record and the Lady Cyclones captured the regional title the previous week.

Junior Hadley Leithead was named the WyoPreps athlete of the week on November 7 for her performance at regionals. Leithead collected 36 kills over the weekend in Guernsey for a hitting percentage of .324. The junior also posted eight blocks, three aces and 10 digs.

Anderson highlighted the team’s ability to implement a new mentality over the course of Anderson’s second season as head coach. Players focused on “training in the right habits,” Anderson said, including developing an attack mentality and playing in the moment.

“This mentality really showed up at state,” Anderson added. “By the (third-place match), the girls found joy in playing at the event center and playing with each other as a team. That got us to where we are.”

Upton

Upton won the first two sets, 25-19 and 25-22, respectively.

The Lady Cyclones regrouped in the third set. Senior Angie Logsdon scored the opening point with a kill before Upton pulled up, 6-4. Two errors by Upton resulted in a 6-6 stalemate.

Sophomore Brylie Booth slammed over three kills and Southeast regained the lead, 9-6. An additional kill by Booth widened the Lady Cyclones’ advantage, 14-7.

Senior Brooklyn Leithead and Logsdon reached up for a block, placing Southeast ahead, 17-11. A block by junior Keana Llewellyn and a kill from Hadley Leithead maintained the Lady Cyclones’ lead.

Upton pulled up and tied the set at 20. A serving error by the Lady Bobcats returned the initiative to the Lady Cyclones, 21-20.

Upton sent the ball out returning a serve by Llewellyn and Southeast reached 22. Logsdon powered over a kill for 23. A service error by Upton resulted in game point for Southeast, 25-22.

The Lady Cyclones opened the fourth set with a 6-3 run, including three kills by Hadley Leithead and an ace from Logsdon.

The Lady Bobcats edged up and tied the set at six. Southeast battled back with a six-point run consisting of blocks by Booth and Llewellyn, two aces from Hadley Leithead and a kill by Booth.

Booth powered over a kill and senior Anna Hartman defended the net with a block. Logsdon, Brooklyn Leithead and Hadley Leithead each followed up with a kill.

A kill from Booth placed Southeast ahead, 23-17. The Lady Cyclones reached 24 when Booth blocked hit by Upton. Logsdon scored game point, 25-19, with a kill.

Southeast roared onto the court in the fifth set, opening with a 6-2 run. Hadley Leithead and Brooklyn Leithead both fired off a pair kills and Logsdon aced a serve.

The Lady Cyclones remained ahead, 8-4, with a kill and block by Booth.

Upton sent the ball into the net replying to hits by Hartman and Llewellyn and a dig by junior Taylor Tregemba. A service error by the Lady Bobcats widened Southeast’s lead, 11-5.

Upton hit the ball out of bounds returning a serve from Llewellyn. Logsdon spiked a kill and Southeast reached 13.

Brooklyn Leithead scored a kill, assisted by Llewellyn, and Southeast pulled ahead, 14-9.

A block by Brooklyn Leithead resulted in game point, 15-10.