Freshmen Lambert, Sutton come up big for Cats

CLARK FORK — Featuring plenty of depth and hungry freshman pushing for playing time, the Wampus Cats needed all hands on deck to earn a 14-25, 25-18, 15-25, 25-19, 15-9 five set win over Lakeside on Thursday night in North Star League volleyball action at Clark Fork High School. 

With Emily Garman out sick, freshman Ellie Lambert stepped in and was a key player for the Wampus Cats (7-4, 5-1 NSL), who got contributions from all players. Lambert finished with seven digs, and fed the setters well in the service return game.

“Ellie’s back row play was the difference. She was digging balls right to the setter,” said Cats head coach Cindy Derr, who continues to play a host of freshman heavy varsity minutes. “She did really well in the back row for not seeing a lot of varsity.”

Leslie Kiebert tallied nine kills, seven digs and two aces, Nona Young 14 set assists, Brooke Stevens 12 assists, Sarah Holderman four kills and two blocks, and Allison Warner and Ali Sutton four kills apiece for the Cats. Sutton also served nine straight points during a pivotal run in the fourth set, turning the tide of the match and earning the fifth set.

“They get down, and it’s hard to dig them out. Finally, the light bulb came on, they dug in a little deeper than Lakeside did and played really well,” said Derr. “The younger kids stepped up in crunch time and helped out the older kids.”

Clark Fork will rest up and get healthy before a busy week with four matches, starting with a home match against Bonners Ferry on Monday night.