Last season: 4-13, last in 2A Scenic Idaho Conference

Coaches: Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey ('14), third year; Michelle Adams (05'), assistant coach and junior varsity head coach.

Key returners: Piper Scarlett, OH, sr.; Aurora Lane, OH, sr.; Nora-Jean Hoy, MB, jr.; Gracie Stevens, OPP, so.; Azlyn Anderson, L, sr.

Key newcomers: Kiylah Anderson, S, fr.; Vanessa Rogier, MB, fr.; Elyssa Raynor, DS, so.

Key losses to graduation: Olivia Yetter; Hannah Thompson, Kayla Swales, Rebecca Heilman.

Outlook: It was a rough jump up to 2A last season for the Lady Cats, with their four wins all coming against former 1A North Star League rivals Mullan and Kootenai. In search of their first league win, they'll rely on senior outside hitter Aurora Lane, a four-year varsity team member and Clark Fork's lone All-Scenic Idaho League selection a year ago. The same goes for four-year varsity member Piper Scarlett, another outside hitter who really packs a punch.

The Lady Cats will also look towards junior middle blocker Nora-Jean Hoy, set to be a three-year varsity player this season, for major contributions. Freshman Kiylah Anderson and Vanessa Rogier are welcome additions to the squad. Anderson has been setter for the Clark Fork Juniors Volleyball Club's 16U team since roughly 11 years old while Rogier brings great size and agility to a solid front row.

The Lady Cats took Lakeside to five sets in a regular season matchup and gave Genesis Prep a run for their money at last year's district tourney, but just didn't have enough to finish things out. Based on the energy at last week's practice, it feels like this team is on the right track to be back on par with the "Clark Fork standard" and turn those losses into wins.

Coach's comments: "I'm really proud of how committed this group of young women is, regardless of their age or volleyball experience. Our practices are extremely competitive and productive. Our program is full of eager kids." - Coach Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey

About Aurora Lane, Piper Scarlett and Azyln Anderson: "All three have put in a ton of work between the spring season and summer stuff." - Coach Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey 

About Kiylah Anderson and Vanessa Rogier: "Our offense will look very different this season thanks to these two very capable and hardworking freshmen. Their talent, combined with the leadership of our upperclassmen, is going to be a winning combination. - Coach Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey

About coaching at a small school: "When you coach at a small school, you work with whoever walks in the gym. I'm fortunate that these girls are really open to the creativity that requires." - Coach Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey 

About having Michelle Adams back on staff: "She has so much knowledge and is really big on holding players to a standard because she respects and believes in them. She communicates that explicitly to our girls and I love that." - Coach Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey 

Player comments: "The willingness to play this year is different... The first day of practice, everyone showed up and we instantly connected. We're really going to use each other and play as a team this season rather than as individuals." - Aurora Lane

"I never had a dream job, just to play varsity sports. It'll be sad when it's over, but I'm going to soak it all up. I'm so glad I've been able to play for this team for all four years. " - Piper Scarlett

Most anticipated matchup: Lakeside

Fun fact: The last time Clark Fork brought home a trophy from the state volleyball tournament was in 2011, when head coach Kiebert-Carey was a freshman and Michelle Adams, now the varsity assistant coach, was the head coach.

Clark Fork Volleyball Schedule

8/26 — @ Lakeside, 6:30 p.m.

8/28 — vs. Timberlake, 7 p.m.

9/2 — @ Wallace, 7 p.m.

9/4 — vs. Coeur du Christ, 7 p.m.

9/5 — vs. Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m.

9/9 — vs. Mullan, 7 p.m.

9/11 — @ Genesis Prep, 7 p.m.

9/16 — @ Kootenai, 7 p.m.

9/18 — vs. Lakeside, 7 p.m.

9/19 — @ Mullan, 6 p.m.

9/23 — @ Timberlake, 7 p.m.

9/25 — vs. Wallace, 7 p.m.

9/29 — @ Coeur du Christ, 6 p.m.

10/4 — vs. Kootenai, 2:30 p.m.

10/7 — vs. Genesis Prep, 7 p.m.

10/9 — @ Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m.

* Schedule as of 8/20, dates and times subject to change

2024 RESULTS

8/27 — @ Lakeside L 3-0

8/29 — @ Timberlake L 3-0

9/3 — @ Wallace L 3-0

9/5 — vs. Coeur du Christ L 3-2

9/10 — vs. Mullan W 3-0

9/12 — vs. Genesis Prep L 3-0

9/14 — vs. Noxon L 3-0

9/17 — @ Kootenai W 3-0

9/19 — vs. Lakeside L 3-0

9/24 — vs. Timberlake L 3-0

9/26 — vs. Wallace L 3-0

10/1 — @ Coeur du Christ L 3-1

10/3 — @ Mullan L 3-0

10/5 — vs. Kootenai W 3-0

10/8 — @ Genesis Prep L 3-0

10/15 — @ Genesis Prep L 3-0*

10/17 — @ Lakeside L 3-0*

* denotes district playoff game

Clark Fork High junior middle blocker Nora-Jean Hoy hits a ball over the net during a 2A Scenic Idaho Conference game against Wallace last season.