TRAPPERS FALL JUST SHORT IN FINAL MATCH
Wrapping up the season on its home court the Northwest College volleyball team went toe-to-toe with Gillette College on sophomore night — coming up just short in each set as the Trappers were swept to end the 2023 campaign.
BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune
Wrapping up the season on its home court the Northwest College volleyball team went toe-to-toe with Gillette College on sophomore night — coming up just short in each set as the Trappers were swept to end the 2023 campaign.
Ending the season at home was special for sophomore libero Ellie Thomas, who ended her career with 967 career digs and 516 digs this season — both school records all-time and in a single season at Northwest.
Thomas returned to the lineup for the first time in a couple of weeks after missing several games due to an injury.
"It feels different when Ellie is on the court," coach Scott Keister said. "It gives us a lot more ball control, she picked right back up where she left off … I don't think even the Wyoming state police could keep her off that court. It was nice she got that last match to break it and she's deserving of it."
GILLETTE COLLEGE 3, NORTHWEST 0
(28-26, 25-21, 25-23)
In a season where the Trappers (9-22 overall, 2-10 Region IX North) have continued to see growth, the team was hoping to end on a high against the Pronghorns (8-21 overall, 1-11 Region IX North).
Northwest came out and held an early lead that hovered between three and four points.
Gillette rallied midway through the set, pushing and tying the match at 13.
The Pronghorns gained a small lead before Northwest rallied to tie it at 17 and forced a Gillette timeout.
Northwest continued to push out of the timeout, gaining a 23-20 advantage and eventually holding a 24-21 lead.
The Pronghorns then scored four straight to regain the lead and the teams battled into extra points.
Gillette eventually capped off the comeback with a 28-26 win and took the first set.
The tight battle ensued in the second set, with neither team gaining a significant advantage over the first half.
Northwest eventually called a timeout, trailing Gillette 14-11.
Out of the timeout, Gillette pushed its lead out to 17-11 and 20-13 before the Trappers had a late push.
Northwest used its late push to close the gap, bringing it down to as close as 23-21.
Gillette was able to find its final two points, and finished with a second set win.
"I think the crowd had fun during the match because it was close," Keister said. "But we were not happy that we lost."
In the third set, Gillette came out strong and scored the first three points before Northwest scored six straight and forced a Pronghorn timeout.
Out of the break, the Pronghorns scored two in a row and forced a Trapper timeout.
Gillette gained an advantage midway through the set, and held the lead late until a rally by Northwest tied the match at 19 and forced a Gillette timeout.
The Pronghorns scored two straight out of the break, and forced a Northwest timeout in response.
Closing out the set the match was tied at 22 each, before Gillette scored three of the last four points to win 25-23.
Taylor Wilson found her swing to end her freshman year, finishing with 17 kills and three blocks in the final match.
"Taylor found her groove and I think she was upset because she was like 'I just figured it out and now we are done,'" Keister said. "Seventeen kills in three sets and hitting .484, that's insane."
Kamri Hutchings led with 24 assists in the match.
Northwest will lose six sophomores due to eligibility, including Hutchings and Thomas as the Trappers move forward to next season determining which of the 10 freshmen will return next season.
"There is going to be a lot of self-reflection in the offseason that's for sure," Keister said. "We will weed some kids out if they need to be weeded out and if they can't do hard things then they won't be here. If they can then they will be here."
Keister said that the team has already been back in the gym continuing to work, before taking a small break.
GILLETTE COLLEGE 3, NORTHWEST 0
(28-26, 25-21, 25-23)
Total blocks then solo blocks in ()
Kills — Taylor Wilson 17, Sierra Kilts 7, Kamri Hutchings 3, Burkelle Field 3, Alexis Grgich 3, Kennedy Oman 3, Tilli Danczyk 2, Elsa Clark 1, Jordynel Anderson 1
Assists — Kamri Hutchings 24, Kamryn Jenkins 12, Ellie Thomas 1, Sierra Kilts 1, Mikey Pilila'au 1
Digs — Ellie Thomas 20, Elsa Clark 8, Sierra Kilts 6, Taylor Wilson 6, Kamri Hutchings 5, DanniKa Barfuss 1, Kennedy Oman 1, Jordynel Anderson 1
Blocks — Taylor Wilson 3 (2), Tilli Danczyk 1.5, Mikey Pilila'au 1 (1), Sierra Kilts .5
Aces — Ellie Thomas 1, Elsa Clark 1, Sierra Kilts 1