BY MICHAEL DAVID

 The Wood River High School volleyball team entered the final regular season match ranked in the top 5 in the state in the coaches’ poll and in the State Power Rankings. The team lived up to its reputation, defeating the Pocatello Indians 3-1 and securing second place in the Great Basin Conference.

 The Wolverines controlled the action in Game 1 from the outset, jumping out to a 10-3 lead. Pocatello responded and closed the gap to 20-15 before Wood River outscored them 5-1 to secure the first set of the contest 25-16

 It was Senior Night in Hailey, and two of those seniors took the action into their own hands in Game 2. Sariah Nilsen tallied 4 kills and an ace and Captain Emily Vandenberg added 3 kills and an ace to lead the Wolverines to a 25-17 victory in the second set. Sophomore Willa Laski contributed 3 kills to bolster the attack.

 Pocatello refused to be swept as they battled back to take the third set 25-23 despite 4 kills by Vandenberg.

 Senior Lauren Thomsen led Wood River in the decisive Game 4, racking up 5 kills. The Wolverines clawed their way back from a 4-1 deficit early in the game to tie it up at 7-7. They never trailed again, taking the fourth set 24-17.

 Wood River finished the regular season with a record of 11-3 overall and 11-2 in conference play. They start the District Tournament at home the weekend of October 19 with their eyes set on a berth in the State Tournament.