CASPER — Green River saw a two-set lead slip away Thursday afternoon, falling to Sheridan 3-2 in the opening round of the 4A State Volleyball Tournament in Casper.
The Lady Wolves took control early, winning the first two sets before Sheridan responded with a dominant third set and carried that energy through the final two sets to claim the match. The loss sends Green River to the third-place bracket, where its path to a state title has ended, but the Lady Wolves still have an opportunity to extend their season and finish as high as third place.
Green River opened the match with a strong first set, overcoming an early back-and-forth start with a decisive run. After Sheridan took a 5-3 lead, the Lady Wolves scored eight consecutive points to move ahead 11-5. Green River continued to score, eventually stretching the lead to 18-10 behind kills from Wilson and Athena Clement, along with a Clement block. Sheridan made a late push, but Green River closed out the set 25-16 on another Wilson kill.
The second set was much closer, with the teams trading points and tying the score repeatedly. Neither side managed more than a three-point advantage until late in the set, when Green River used a Wilson kill and block to move ahead 21-18. Sheridan battled back to tie the score at 23, but an error gave the Lady Wolves set point before Green River finished the set 25-23. The second set featured 17 ties, with kills from Wilson, Clement, Vivian Murray and Reghan Obray helping Green River maintain its edge.
Holding a 2-0 match lead, Green River needed one more set to advance to the semifinals. Sheridan, however, changed the pace in the third, scoring eight straight points to take a 10-2 lead. Green River briefly slowed the run, getting kills from Wilson, Brookelyn Phillips, Murray and Annistyn Nielsen, but Sheridan continued to find openings and built its advantage to 20-10. The Lady Broncs closed the set 25-12, cutting Green River’s lead to 2-1.
Sheridan carried that fire into the fourth set, taking an early lead and moving ahead 7-3. Green River worked to stay within reach, with Wilson and Murray providing kills and Clement contributing at the net. After falling behind 20-15, the Lady Wolves mounted a significant rally. Murray’s kill and block helped spark the comeback, while a Wilson ace and a Clement kill brought Green River even at 22-22. Sheridan answered with three of the final four points, however, taking the set 25-23 and forcing a deciding fifth set.
The teams traded points early in the fifth, but Sheridan gradually created separation. Green River used a Murray block and a Wilson kill to stay close, and a Heward block helped pull the Lady Wolves within two at 11-9. Sheridan maintained control down the stretch, reaching match point at 14-10. Wilson answered with a kill, but Sheridan scored the next point to complete the comeback and take the match 15-11.
Wilson battled all game for Green River with 17 kills, four aces and one block.
The Lady Wolves move into the third-place bracket and face Star Valley at 2:30 p.m. Friday. A win would keep Green River’s season alive and send it into another opportunity Saturday, while a loss would end its tournament run.
