Celebrating success: Lovell volleyball team looks back on championship season

Lovell High School volleyball coaches and players celebrated a state championship season Tuesday evening, November 11, at an end-of-season awards night at the high school multipurpose room.

There were plenty of smiles as head coach Tera Kostelecky reflected on the season that carried the Lady Bulldogs to the top of Class 3A.

Kostelecky started by offering myriad thanks, first of all thanking players, parents and guests for attending to celebrate “the incredible journey we’ve shared together this season.”

“As I reflect on the past season, I am filled with gratitude,” she said. “This year was not just about wins and losses, it was about growth, teamwork and the memories we created along the way. It was about continuing to build a foundation to unify Lovell volleyball into a new legacy. Each of you contributed to this journey, and I want to acknowledge that.”

Coach Kostelecky thanked her players for their dedication, hard work and passion for the game, calling it “truly inspiring” and adding, “You pushed yourselves to improve, challenged each other and supported one another both on and off the court. Whether it was a game-winning serve, a crucial dig or a moment of encouragement during a tough match, each of you played a vital role in our success. You’ve not only developed as athletes but as individuals, learning valuable lessons about resilience, teamwork and leadership.”

She thanked parents and the community for support and encouragement, along with many actions of support from team dinners to cheering from the stands, noting, “You made a tremendous difference. You are the backbone of this program, and I appreciate all that you do to support your daughters and our team.”

Kostelecky also thanked “team mom” CaMee Nichols, various anonymous donors, the Bulldog Booster Club, the school administration, the Rose City Netters, Lovell Recreation, Lance and Tiffany Anderson, athletic director Chris Edwards, school secretary Kristin Lloyd, Katie Hernandez, Tawyna Teter, JLee Steed, Brenda Coombs, April Price, Lane Partridge-Black and Sher Jolley in the business office, Supt. William Hiser, custodian Dakota Bond, principals Craig Lundberg and Lydia McCracken, photographer Ramie Edwards, boosters and moms.

She also thanked Stormy Jameson for her newspaper coverage, advice, being “eyes from the outside” and for being “an inspiration and a contribution to reaching a goal we set forth at the beginning.”

“The truth is, none of us would be here tonight without you and your support for this program,” she said.

The championship season

The 2025 season was successful at all levels of the program, Coach Kostelecky said. The freshman team dropped just two matches, she said, and the junior varsity squad also had a “near perfect” season, placing first in the gold bracket in Rawlins and first in the Roberts tournament.

As for the varsity team, Kostelecky started with: “What a season. What a journey. What a team.” She noted that the Lady Bulldogs started strong by reaching the championship match at both the Columbus and Rawlins tournaments, showing “real growth.”

The team amassed a 36-6 record, losing only to Baker, Montana, in Columbus, Mountain View and powerful Cody four times.

“That’s it. Six losses in an entire volleyball season,” Kostelecky said.” And with every setback we didn’t crumble; we climbed.”

“These girls didn’t just improve physically, they grew mentally, emotionally, as athletes, as teammates, as people,” the coach said.  “They have learned what the word team really means – far beyond the jersey, far beyond the scoreboard. And for me, personally, it has been a true joy coaching them, traveling with them, teaching them and learning from them.

“One of the biggest themes of our season was turning positive energy into positive outcomes, taking a mistake – which every team makes – and choosing to flip it around immediately, instead of carrying it with us. That mindset shift is one of the hardest habits to change. But these kids did it. They did it fully and courageously.”

Though not a top-two seed, the Lady Bulldogs reached the championship match at the 3A West Regional tournament in Pinedale, finishing second to Cody but punching their ticket to State, “where the real magic began,” Kostelecky said.

The Lady Bulldogs beat Newcastle in the first round, looking confident, solid and focused, the coach said. They met Douglas in the semifinals, a team that was undefeated against eastern teams, and the Lady Bulldogs were determined, hungry and united.

“Everything clicked, I mean truly clicked,” Kostelecky said. “It was like watching a perfect symphony play out. These girls were exactly where they needed to be at exactly the right time. The communication, the discipline, the reads, the momentum – it was all there. We swept Douglas and left them wide-eyed and speechless. I can say without hesitation: that was the best match this team played all season long. It was beautiful volleyball.”

Then came what Kostelecky called “the biggest moment of the year, the state championship match against Cody, meeting the Fillies for the fifth time this season.

The Lady Bulldogs won three games to two to win Lovell’s first Class 3A state title and third overall.

“We knew what we had to do,” the coach said. “The match went all the way to five sets. They took the first. We responded by taking the next two. They forced a fourth. And then the fifth set arrived. They won the coin toss, but we moved to our lucky side, shifted our rotation and gave them matchups they weren’t prepared for. I’ll never forget the look on their faces – deer in headlights.

Lovell jumped out 3-0 in the final set, and the Lady Bulldogs prevailed in a tight finale, 15-12.

“It was a battle, back and forth, point for point,” Kostelecky said. “And then, exactly the way we talked about in timeout, Kindle (Collins) passes, Macie (Anderson) sets and Ali (Walker) puts down the game-winning kill. Picture perfect. Storybook. A moment that will live in the history of Lovell volleyball forever.

“And just like that—Lovell won the 3A state championship. I didn’t fully grasp how big this was until I looked at my phone afterward and saw 172 text messages. And I don’t even know that many people. But I’ll tell you this: These girls deserved every single one of the congratulations. They earned every bit of this title. The work. The sweat. The commitment. The belief. The heart.”

Concluded Kostelecky, “This team is special. Truly special. And we are beyond proud, honored and grateful to be a part of it.”

Awards

Kostelecky and assistant coaches Natalie Collins and Angie Hitz presented individual awards as follows:

Freshmen – Defensive Player: Kelsey Mangus, Leadership: Brynnlee Spanier, Super Setter: Kendra Allen; JV – Offensive Player: Hannity Felkins, All Around Player: Brooklin Clark, Super Setter: Macie Anderson;

Varsity – Brick Wall: Celeste Lindsay (Most Blocks), Ace Specialist: Avery Walker, Offensive Player: Avery Walker, Leadership Award: Celeste Lindsay, Super Setter: Macie Anderson, Super Setter: Kira Collins, Defensive Player: Kindle Collins;

Trauma Club: Celeste Lindsay 1, Avery Walker 2, Ali Walker 2; Bleed Blue: Becca Nichols, Star Attitude: Ava Edwards, All-Around Growth: Kaydree Owens;

Top Dog: Macie Anderson 140 Points, Jaycie Allen 145, Brooklin Clark 165, Janelle Hessenthaler 190, Celeste Lindsay 233, Hannity Felkins 238, Morgan Harshman 285, Kira Collins 313; Kindle Collins 338, Kandace Asay 395. 

All-Conference/State

Kostelecky said junior Kindle Collins and sophomores Ali Walker and Avery Walker were unanimous selections for the Class 3A West All-Conference team, and juniors Kira Collins and Celeste Lindsay were honorable mention selections.

The Walker twins were selected for the Class 3A All-State team.

Wrapping up, Kostelecky thanked her assistant coaches.

“Coach Collins and Coach Hitz: Thank you for all your volleyball knowledge, dedication, efforts and willingness this season,” she said. “What you do is countless hours, nights without sleep and sometimes (efforts) considered ‘thankless.’ Thanks for helping with all the practices, matches and meetings. Thank you for being a great part of this program. Thank you for keeping me on my toes. And thank you for all the time dedicated to this program and me. It’s been a joy.”