CASPER — The state volleyball tournament came to an end a little different than the MVHS volleyball team and fans hoped, but the team still has reason to be proud of their efforts as they stood on the podium.

The Lady Buffs went to the tournament as the #2 seed in the West and knocked the Buffalo Lady Bisons into the consolation bracket in three: 25-14, 25-17, 25,19 on the Thursday of last week, the first day of the tournament. Each set took a little more effort, but the Lady Buffs played hard to take the win in three. The Buffalo Bison were the #3 East seed. For this game the Casper Star Tribune reported “Haily Stephens, junior, played strong at the net while the senior tandem of Haylee Hereford and Lyndee Hereford provided offensive firepower” for the Lady Buffs.

In addition, head coach Diana Tims said the Lady Buffs, “…work hard and work together as a team. That’s our focus this year. Team above all.”

The Lady Buffs were back on the court on Friday and their win put them across the net against the #1 East Lady Outlaws of Rawlins. The Lady Outlaws have proved to be a tough team this year and entered the state tournament with an overall record of 29-4. But the Lady Buffs also have proved they were a power during this year’s season. In fact they fought the Lyman Lady Eagles to five sets in the recent southwest tourney in Mountain View.

Friday’s game proved to go in favor of the Lady Outlaws as they took the game in three: 25-14, 25-17, 25-22. This loss put moved the Lady Buffs to the consolation bracket.

Fans said the Lady Buffs couldn’t get in the rhythm they maintained all season and this led to the loss to the Lander Lady Tigers: 22-25, 25-23, 25-28, 25-20.

This played opposite of the games the two teams played during the regular season. The Lady Buffs had beaten the Lady Tigers twice.