After dealing with mounting challenges over the past two years, it was fitting for the Lone Tree volleyball seniors to finish their final season with a  substantial challenge in the 1A quarterfinals — a match with No. 1 Burlington Notre Dame. 

The Lady Lions battled, but fell to the top-ranked Nikes in three sets to finish the season 7-21.

Nearly 20 months ago, the current Lone Tree seniors were preparing to play club volleyball in the offseason when the pandemic ended those plans. 

“We weren’t sure if we would even have a season in the fall, and the one we did have, had so many accommodations for covid it was all kind of mind blowing,” Lone Tree coach Lora Sieverding said. “We dealt with quarantines and isolations, but battled through. We felt this year we would all be back together again ready for a fun ride.  While I feel the ride was fun, it still wasn’t what they hoped for.” 

COVID quarantines caused absences again along with injuries, both minor and more significant. Lineups changed all season, occasionally with little time to prepare for games.  

“Through all the adversity, though, this team really hung together,” Sieverding said. “Coach (Sonda) Prybil and I could not be more proud of how this team rallied through everything, especially our seniors.” 

The journey ended on Wednesday in Burlington. Notre Dame took the first set 25-11 and went up quickly 8-1 in the second before Lone Tree closed the gap to 13-7. The Nikes won the final two sets 25-9 and 25-8. 

“Our team knew they were the underdogs going in, but we also talked about the upset factor and just trusting in what we could do, and do it well,” Sieverding said. “I feel the first set was high energy, we stayed with them about half way through, and they got going on their serves and kills. We battled but they were just a very good team. It’s very possible we may have competed with the state champions — time will tell.”  

Jenna and Josie Bentz each had four aces for Notre Dame, but the Nikes also had trouble handling the seves of Lone Tree’s Riley Krueger, who was 7-of-7 serving with a pair of aces. 

Alivia Hemsted led the Lady Lions with three kills in her final match. Ellen Carow had two kills, a block and an ace, while Krueger added two kills as well. Ella Buser had five assists and four digs.

Alyssa Knock had four digs and Lexi Norris had two digs and an assist. Kayla Dautremont had two digs,an assist, and an ace. 

“We will have some big shoes to fill as this senior class departs from our program,” Sieverding said. “Kayla Dautremont, Kylie Patterson and Lexi Norris served as our captains, along with junior Emma Slaughter. These ladies served our team above and beyond our expectations. They are good communicators and lead by example.

“Chloe Mills suffered a season-ending injury early in September, just after getting back from quarantine. Her scrappy coverage behind our blockers and her strong serving was greatly missed throughout the season. Alyssa Knock is one of the best liberos we have had in a while. Her defensive coverage was excellent and by the time she finished her season she had added kills to her stat column, which is always a great thing, to get some kills from your libero. 

“Alivia Hemsted came on strong for us this year as well with her strong serves and tricky attacks. She also had some great hustle plays covering the net defensively as well.  Ellen Carow, joined our program last year and jumped into the middle position —defending the net with a lot of power and attitude and was one of our strongest attackers. Not only could she hit well, she had a deadly serve, with several aces to her name.”

The Lions will return their kills leader in Krueger, and setter Ella Buser, juniors who have been working together for three seasons.   

“We saw a lot of improvement in the underclassmen this year which really excites us,” Sieverding said. “The freshman team brought home the championship plaque from the English Valleys Tourney and did an amazing job competing with some big school power houses at another tournament they were at this year. So, the future continues to look bright for Lone Tree Volleyball.”

The seven seniors who played in varsity matches this year made up the largest senior class ever to compete for Prybil and Sieverding at Lone Tree. 

“While we have appreciated all the hard work they have put in to refine their skills, we are most proud of the young women they are becoming,” Sieverding said. “They have grown as leaders, friends and in general are just good humans. I have every confidence these young ladies will be very successful in whatever they decide to pursue next.”