COEUR d’ALENE — The Clark Fork Wampus Cats’ players find head coach Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey's “old-man” sayings funny, but that didn’t stop her from breaking one out before the team’s North Star League Championship game. 

“How do you eat an elephant?” Kiebert-Carey asked her team. “Only one of them knew, one bite at a time.” 

Kiebert-Carey wanted her team to stay hungry for success after a 16-0 regular season, and focused on their “next point” mentality. In front of a packed crowd at North Idaho College, that’s what the Wampus Cats did. 

Clark Fork downed Coeur du Christ in four sets (25-14, 20-25, 25-15, 25-14) on Thursday night to take home the North Star League championship and punch their ticket to state for the first time since 2022. 

“There was no part of me that felt like it wasn’t in hand because we can be down eight or nine points and they’re still like ‘This ain’t over,’” Kiebert-Carey said. “It feels really good and how exciting it is to see the fruits of your labor when all the pieces fall into place.” 

The Wampus Cats rode terrific days from their young stars, including sophomore setter Kiylah Anderson, who was named the North Star League MVP after the game. Anderson totaled a career-high 36 assists in addition to five kills, five digs and three aces. 

Kiebert-Carey said she’s been very tough on Anderson because she has endless potential in her game, and the Wampus Cats’ gym rat has responded with a fantastic season.  

“She carries herself in a very nonchalant way, and I feel like people like that can get lost in the cracks because they don’t get shout-outs for recognition,” Kiebert-Carey said. “But when you understand the game and see how she’s willing to take risks and then perfect those risks, it was the absolute right choice. I’m really excited to keep building on that potential with her.” 

Keeping with the All-League honorees, senior Nora-Jean Hoy and sophomore Vannessa Rogier were named to the first team and had stellar nights. Rogier added 14 kills, the second most on the team, five digs and four aces.  

Meanwhile, the Wampus Cats’ lone senior stuffed the stat sheet with eight kills, three blocks, six digs and two aces against the Saints. 

“She played absolutely lights out last night,” Kiebert-Carey said of Hoy. “She had the match of her life, and it was perfect timing.”  

Freshman Grace Thompson, Clark Fork’s lone representative on the All-League second team, led the team with 15 kills and added a block to boot.  

The electric performances were boosted by an impressive turnout from the Clark Fork faithful, whom Kiebert-Carey thanked for making the drive to support her 17-0 Wampus Cats. 

“That was really special,” Kiebert-Carey said. 

With the win, Clark Fork has secured their spot in the 1A State Tournament from Oct. 29-31, which will be hosted at Thunder Ridge High in Ammon. The Wampus Cats will be chasing their first win at state since 2018. 

With nearly two weeks until their next game and a mystery opponent looming, Kiebert-Carey said the team is going to lean on its depth in practice. The Wampus Cats will look to push their pace in 6-on-6 drills and focus on their defense. 

Clark Fork’s head coach credits assistant coach Michelle Adams for bringing in unique defensive drills that have helped the Wampus Cats total around 10 digs a set. 

“She has invented drills that we’ve been doing, and when we first started the girls were like ‘Oh my gosh, this is a lot,’” Kiebert-Carey said. “Michelle is asking a lot from them, but it’s really paying off.” 

Many of the potential teams that Clark Fork could play hail from Southern Idaho, which means the Wampus Cats may see styles of volleyball they aren’t used to. Kiebert-Carey said she’ll be watching film on the teams and preparing her players for a middle-focused attack scheme. 

“Honestly, I'm excited for my girls,” Kiebert-Carey said. “As young as they are to get to go down and experience the atmosphere and make memories together and see what it looks like when you’re in a gym with a bunch of girls who work just as hard as you.” 

    Clark Fork's Grace Thompson leaps to send a ball over the net in the North Star District Tournament Championship at North Idaho College on Thursday. Thompson led the Wampus Cats with 15 kills against the Saints.
 

    Clark Fork's Vanessa Rogier makes a diving save in the North Star District Championship game at North Idaho College on Thursday.
  

    Clark Fork's Kiylah Anderson and her team celebrate as Anderson is named MVP of the North Star League on Thursday at North Idaho College.