This story has been updated for correction.

BONNERS FERRY — The Badger volleyball team was young and inexperienced this fall with only three returning varsity players, but that didn’t stop them from nearly advancing to state for the first time since 2017.

Two weeks ago, Bonners Ferry fell to Timberlake in a thrilling five-set battle in the 3A District 1 tournament second-place match, 25-14, 25-23, 19-25, 21-25, 15-11. The Badgers were just one set away from earning a berth to state and head coach Cynthia Cummings said that shows just how much the team grew this season.

“The girls played their hearts out and left everything on the court,” Cummings said. “They hustled, communicated well, encouraged each other and they never gave up.”

Although the girls did not win against Timberlake to advance to state, Cummings said she couldn’t be more proud of them and the effort they gave this season, both in practice and games.

“They worked so hard throughout the season and I'm excited where this program will go in the future,” she said.

In the first round of the district tournament on Oct. 19, the three-seeded Badgers suffered a four-set defeat at Timberlake before battling back the following day with a sweep of Coeur d’Alene Charter to keep their season alive.

They got another crack at the second-seeded Tigers in the second-place match and put up quite the fight.

“In the end someone has to lose,” Cummings said. “The girls this season really put in a lot of effort and gave it all.”

Cummings said whether it was during new workouts, new drills, running or lifting weights, the players gave it their all this season.

Cummings is excited to see what the team can do in the years to come. Although the team is losing three seniors in Chouinard, Petesch and Maas, Cummings said she knows the younger players on the squad will step up to fill their shoes.

Timberlake and Kellogg, the Badgers’ main rivals, are graduating six to eight seniors, Cummings said, which should give Bonners Ferry a chance to contend for a state berth next fall.

Cummings is confident that the volleyball program at BFHS will only get stronger with younger players developing new skills. She said Abubakari is one of the more prominent hitters on the team and she sees the sophomore being a leader on the team in the future.

Mass moved to outside hitter this season, and despite only being 5-foot-4, performed extremely well, Cummings said.

Nevaeh Elliston was a consistent server for the Badgers and had a strong presence in the back row, Cummings said. Lucas will be participating in club volleyball over the offseason, and Cummings is looking forward to seeing how the extra time on the court will give her an edge next season.

Cummings was also impressed by the four players that floated between varsity and junior varsity — Helene Rae, Kimberly Lucas, Ellie Falck and Sara Cummings. She said that along with young players Avery Bayer and Braylyn Bayer they will be a crucial part of next year’s team and the program over the next few years.

The team finished 9-8 this fall.

Petesch led the team in kills this season with 152, Abubakari was a close second with 146 and Elliston had the highest serving percentage on the team. Maas tallied the most digs.

The team’s banquet and awards ceremony is tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at the Fairgrounds.