The Bonners Ferry volleyball team might have lost out at the 3A State Tournament that took place at Madison High School in Rexburg on Oct. 28 and 29, but they certainly did not come home empty-handed.

Miranda Wenk was named most valuable player of the Intermountain League. The junior middle blocker, who has led the Badgers to win after win this season, is truly a force to be reckoned with out on the court. Timing is everything in volleyball, and Wenk has that in spades. She also has a wickedly powerful spike and consistently led the team in kills this year.

Jadyn Bennett, another very talented player, was named all-league for her prowess as a defensive specialist. Bennett is also a junior and will be returning with Wenk next season.

To top it all off, the Badgers’ head coach Kendra Mass was recognized as Coach of the Year. Maas was honored to receive this commendation but she says that her players deserve all the limelight.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the accomplishments that they achieved,” she told the Herald after the tournament.

The Lady Badgers’ first game of the tournament was against Sugar-Salem on Friday, Oct. 28. They lost to the Diggers in straight sets: 13-25, 17-25 and 16-25. According to coach Mass, the team played well but, “[We] just couldn’t shake our nerves this first game.”

After dropping that first match on Friday, the Badgers went on to play Buhl on Oct. 29. The Bonners Ferry team had gotten into a better rhythm by this point, Maas says, but it wasn’t enough to make it to round three of the tournament. They lost again in straight sets, but by a closer margin this time. Set scores were: 19-25, 21-25 and 21-15.

The Diggers, who just might have the best volleyball team name in all of the Intermountain League, went on to win the state tournament after taking down Parma and Timberlake.

Even though two straight losses meant they were knocked out of the tournament early, Maas couldn’t be prouder of her team or happier with the way the season ended,

Bonners Ferry, by the way, also received the Sportsmanship award at this year’s state tournament. The award is based on how the players present themselves to coaches, parents and administration, and it couldn’t have gone to a more deserving group of girls, Maas says.

“Every girl deserves to be recognized for this oustanding season.”

Coach Maas went on to thank the parents for allowing her to coach their girls, and the local community for coming out to the games.

“I also want to thank our Athletic Director, Conrad Garner, as well as my assistant coaches, Amy Lane and Marcia Leonard, for always being there and going above and beyond to make this season what it was.”