State Championship: The team’s how and why of it

Tera Kostelecky, head coach

What does this state championship mean to you, your school and/or the community?

To me, this championship honor is exactly that. An honor. A big deal. It is a whole lot of hard work paid off. Worth it. It is every drop of time, sweat, tears, time, laughs, sadness, anger, happiness, excitement, etc. all wrapped up in one moment. 

It is in honor of Stormy. I wasn’t planning on applying to coach. It was Stormy that asked me to. At the time she and I weren’t on the best “volleyball terms,” but she asked me to. Told me I “needed to do it.” She said, “You are the only one that can do it. You have to do it for these kids.” So I applied. And sure enough, it was offered. She and I kindled a relationship over it after falling apart over coaching. Then these last couple of years we really grew closer together because of volleyball. Then the season was dedicated to her after learning of her health. So the accomplishment dedicated in honor of her is a big deal to me, the kids and her. 

To the school it is bragging rights. It is status. It is a title. In this case it’s the third volleyball title in school history, which is a big deal. The first in the 3A class, which is a big deal. To the community it is a big deal.

What made this title possible? What was it about this team that took you to the top?

Things like this are not possible without every bit of support, especially the support that is sometimes unseen. From the top down and down up. The custodians who clean and set up, the admin, the parents, fans, family, friends, teachers, students, team, coaching staff, young teams, lower-level coaches, secretaries, bus drivers, officials, newspapers, etc. None of this is possible without all of us. That is the truth. 

This team is a very special team. They started this team determined to set a “new legacy,” and they succeeded in winning this championship, yes, but more than that all the steps they took in gaining the title. Every hill they climbed, the class they climbed them with. The will, the determination, the adversity. They face battles and struggles head-on and don’t quit at anything in front of them. They hate to lose. 

And they are highly coachable. Each of them truly desires to be their best. And about that, they expect their team to be at their best, both on and off of the court. They hold one another accountable and are able to keep the game and personal life separate. They are competitors. Athletes. They are special. Irreplaceable.

Angela Hitz, assistant coach

What does this state championship mean to you, your school and/or the community?

Winning the state volleyball championship was such a rush of so many emotions. The girls and our coaching staff poured our hearts into every practice, every point and every challenge we faced this season. This victory is a reflection of our grit, our unity, the ability to be selfless when needed, building up the person next to you even if it might mean you share time on the court and the incredible support we receive from our families, teachers and fans. I was completely blown away by our fans. We had so much support from the community. That support really made a difference. We could feel the energy brought by our fans and that helped propel us to the top.

It’s more than a trophy, it’s all the hard work these girls put in coming to fruition, and it’s a moment of pride that brought our entire community together and shows what can happen when we believe in and support each other.

Natalie Collins, assistant coach

What does this state championship mean to you, your school and/or the community?

As a coach, this championship means so much because of who these girls are.  Volleyball is a sport that demands trust, communication and total teamwork. Watching our girls grow in those areas, seeing them battle through tough moments, celebrate the small wins and lean on each other has been incredible. This title is a reflection of their heart and dedication. This championship is a point of tremendous pride from our school and community.  It is a reflection of how powerful support can be in a sport where energy matters. We’re grateful for every person who showed up, believed in us and helped create an environment where our girls could play fearless, fundamentally sound volleyball.

What made this title possible? What was it about this team that took you to the top?

This state championship was possible because of our girls’ dedication, teamwork and commitment to improvement. It was possible because of the foundation our girls built years ago. Many of them started playing volleyball in elementary school, learning the basics, developing work habits and falling in love with the game. Today, that hard work, combined with their teamwork, trust and perseverance, allowed them to stay composed under pressure, execute on the court and ultimately earn this title. It’s a testament not just talent, but to years of consistent effort and love for the game. 

What took this team to the top was their heart, trust and relentless work ethic. They communicated, supported each other and never gave up on a single point, even when matches got tough. Beyond talent, it was their unity, resilience and willingness to play for each other that allowed us to reach the top.

Celeste Lindsay

What does this state championship mean to you, your school and/or the community?

This state championship means so much to me, and I’d like to believe it means a lot to the community, as well. It has showed me that I can accomplish things when I believe in myself and in my teammates. It showed me that it’s not unrealistic to set your goals high. I’ve dreamed of a state championship since elementary school, and I set my sights on it. Some may have believed that with Lovell volleyball’s past, this goal wouldn’t be attainable, but myself and my team never gave up on that goal. 

To the community this state championship shows that the change starts with the individuals, and no goal is too high. I hope especially that this state championship shows the younger girls in our community that they can do amazing things, and they are the change to a new and better Lovell volleyball culture, or as our theme was this year, a new Lovell Volleyball Legacy.

What made this title possible? What was it about this team that took you to the top?

What made this title possible was the new culture we cultivated within the girls of this team and the new winning mindset we achieved. I’ve never felt so connected to a group of girls as I have on this volleyball team. We grew together in the midst of adversity, and we showed that we are stronger together. What set us apart from the other teams was our fight, skill, determination and love for each other on the team. We wanted this state championship so much, and we wanted to do it together, and that is what made us succeed.

Kindle Collins

What does this state championship mean to you, your school and/or the community?

This state championship means everything to me. It’s been a dream we’ve had since we were little kids. Winning the title is a reflection of the hard work, sacrifices and extra hours we’ve spent in order to get here. Our school and our community are the heart behind this win. Even though we come from one of the smallest towns in 3A, we have the biggest, loudest and most loyal community behind us. This title is for the community just as much as it’s for us. With the other championships Lovell has recently had it’s just proof that a small town with a huge heart can rise to the top.

What made this title possible? What was it about this team that took you to the top?

We won because of who we are. We all love the game and love each other. We were the underdogs. We lost to Cody four times and even lost sets that we totally could have won, but it eventually just made us stronger. Every time we faced a setback, we used it to push harder and come back better. All season we kept saying, “We could lose the battle, but we are going to win the war.” That mindset carried us through every single game. We knew we could beat anyone as long as we played with the fire and determination that this team has. 

Also, our community honestly made everything possible. The energy and support we felt was like nothing else. It felt like the whole Event Center was cheering for us, and our team absolutely thrived in that environment. Also, seeing everyone from our town there, knowing how much they believed in us, made us want to give everything we had on that court, too.

Kira Collins

What does this state championship mean to you, your school and/or the community?

This state championship is a reflection of the dedication and hard work we have put in over these many past years. It’s totally worth it to know that all the early mornings, camps and extra time in the gym were worth it. We have been able to grow incredibly much and are so thankful for everyone in the community who always believed in our skills and abilities. This small town has a big heart and everyone’s passions and support have been such a blessing. Their spirit and dedication has always pushed us to be our best. This win will be remembered, and it’s definitely a moment we will always carry with us. Its truly comforting to know we are able to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.

What made this title possible? What was it about this team that took you to the top?

This title was made possible through countless hours of work and time in the gym throughout the season and off-season. I give credit to my teammates, who shared this same desire to win. I especially give credit to all my volleyball coaches, who have pushed me and strengthened me. They showed up for us and achieved this goal with us. 

It’s truly amazing how even though we were not favored to win state, every game we still showed up and played with heart and a true love for each other. We were able to perform well under the crowd influence at state, and we knew how to beat Cody the fifth time we played them. We still showed up after a loss and wanted to improve from it. It shows that if you want to be the best, you have to become the best through hard work and dedication.

Kandace Asay

What does this state championship mean to you, your school and/or the community?

I think that winning this championship, for me personally, was just a statement that Lovell volleyball is going to start looking completely different. And it was just us everyone what we are capable of proving it to those that didn’t really believe in us. It was a clear showing of all the hours of work we put into it.

What made this title possible? What was it about this team that took you to the top?

I think one of the main specific things about our team this year that enabled us to accomplish this was our chemistry. The six girls on the court always wanted what was best for each other. I always knew that the girl next to me wanted me to succeed, and that’s what really drove me and my teammates to success. We were forgiving and empathetic and just supported each other the whole way.

Avery Walker

What does this state championship mean to you, your school and/or the community?

This state championship means a lot to me. Since I was young, I always expected myself and my team to win a state title. I refused to go through my high school career without one, and I’m happy to see that standard and dream come true.

What made this title possible? What was it about this team that took you to the top?

What made this title possible was our commitment and our relationships with each other. I feel like we all have such a great love for each other on and off the court, and it really carries when we play with each other. We all had the same goal and were committed to do whatever it took to win. 

We also have such a deep love for Jesus and our religion that we made Him part of our whole season, through the ups and downs, and we always kept Him a part of what we were doing. We said prayers before games, and prayers of gratitude to thank Him after, no matter the outcome. During Regionals and State we had devotionals before our games, too, where we’d all share something to help and comfort us in a time of high stress and excitement. We put forth our best effort, and we knew He would do the rest.

Ali Walker

What does this state championship mean to you, your school and/or the community?

This state championship means a lot to me. This is something I’ve dreamed about since elementary school and something I’ve expected for myself and my future. Last year my goal felt impossible, realizing how hard it is to even win a game at State. But a year later, it happened. Reaching this personal and team goal is a big accomplishment.

What made this title possible? What was it about this team that took you to the top?

What made this title possible is our deep love for each other and the game. We all truly loved each other and the game and wanted to win so bad. Having lost to Cody four times before the state championship game really helped us for the game that actually mattered. We had so much drive, motivation and a fire in us that we weren’t going to lose. 

We involved Jesus by praying together before, during and after games. We couldn’t have done this without our love for each other, the game and Jesus. Also the support we felt from our crowd helped us feel confident.

Becca Nichols

What does this state championship mean to you, your school and/or the community?

Winning this title means everything. As a senior, it feels like the perfect ending to all the years I’ve put into this sport, and it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. For the team, it’s this amazing payoff for all the hard work we’ve put in, all the early practices and the sweat and the teamwork. For the school, it’s a milestone, our first-ever 3A championship and only the third state title in school history. And for the community, it’s something that brings everyone together and makes people proud.

 What made this title possible? What was it about this team that took you to the top?

This happened because of the years we’ve put into becoming a true team, not just a group of players. Most of us have played together for a long time, both in-season and off-season. That kind of history builds chemistry, and that connection showed on the court. On top of that, we worked hard, trusted each other and pushed each other every day. We have a great group of girls, incredible coaching and a shared belief that we could make it happen. 

It wasn’t any single moment, but a whole season of working hard and believing we could do it. And in the end, we did.

Hannity Felkins

What does this state championship mean to you, your school and/or the community?

This state championship is so important for me and my team because we have all worked very hard since fifth grade to achieve this goal and get to the level of playing we are at. And as for my school and community, this is a big win because we haven’t had a volleyball state championship in 3A and only have had one other championship in 2A. It shows progression in this volleyball program.

What made this title possible? What was it about this team that took you to the top?

Many players on this team have always played together, so the chemistry on the court is like none other. One thing our team focused on was to have a positive mind set and moving past our mistakes. This simple but profound aspect took us to that next level.

Macie Anderson

What does this state championship mean to you, your school and/or the community?

The state championship is important to me and my team because we have worked hard for this title for so long. Ever since second grade I have wanted this title. We put so many hours into volleyball, and it feels awesome for it to finally come true. For my school and community, this is a big win because we have never competed in 3A volleyball. We are building a strong volleyball program and showing little girls in our community that winning a title is possible. It shows great progress in our volleyball program.

What made this title possible? What was it about this team that took you to the top?

All of our players on the team have dedication and determination. This team is like family. We all support one another, and from the beginning we had faith and truly believed that we could win and get to the top. We went to practice everyday and wanted to get better in order to get that championship title.

Brooklin Clark

What does this state championship mean to you, your school and/or the community?

 It means more than just a championship trophy. It means all of our hard work and dedication we put in to reach this goal. For our school it brings spirit and pride. I feel like it also strengthens our culture for sports.

What made this title possible? What was it about this team that took you to the top?

Our hard work and teamwork as well as our coaches made this title possible. I think our team’s dedication and heart made it possible.

Kaydree Owens

What does this state championship mean to you, your school and/or the community?

This state championship means everything to us. It’s the result of years of hard work and dedication. It’s amazing to think that what started as a small dream back in our AAU days has grown into a state title in high school. I’m so grateful to have shared this journey with this team — I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone else.

What made this title possible? What was it about this team that took you to the top?

We earned this title because we trusted each other and showed up with commitment every single day. Our teamwork, resilience and belief in one another pushed us to the top. We had energy from the court, the bench and the crowd, and all of those combined helped fulfill this dream.