Lady Dogies punch ticket to State

The Newcastle Dogies are heading back to the State Volleyball Tournament for the first time since 2022 after finishing third at the 3A East Regional Tournament in Rawlins last weekend.

“This past weekend was amazing for the girls!” head coach Mickey Crabtree said. “They brought so much energy and excitement this weekend.”

Newcastle entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed from the East and opened play Friday with a dominant straight-set victory over Buffalo, 25–18, 25–13, 25–13. The Dogies piled up 29 kills and eight aces in the win. Adalyn Olson led the attack with 17 kills, while setter Kyndal Von Eye dished out 23 assists and added five aces. Senior Sydney Pederson notched five kills and 20 digs, and junior Lillie Morrill added six kills and 12 digs.

The win advanced Newcastle to a semifinal showdown with Torrington, a familiar foe that had competed for the 3A East’s regular season title. The Dogies battled hard but fell in three tight sets, 19–25, 18–25, 23–25, despite a strong 30-kill team performance. Olson and Delainey Dresen led the way with nine kills apiece, and Von Eye tallied 26 assists. Pederson had 16 digs, and the Dogies kept every set within striking distance.

Newcastle regrouped in Saturday’s consolation bracket and delivered a convincing sweep of Rawlins, 25–12, 25–17, 25–15, to earn a spot in the regional third-place match — and a guaranteed trip to State. The Dogies posted 35 kills and eight aces in that win, led by Olson’s 11 kills, Pederson’s seven and Morrill’s seven. Dresen and Allen combined for 18 digs, and Von Eye spread the offense with 27 assists.

In their regional finale, Newcastle downed Wheatland 19–25, 25–11, 25–16, 25–15 to secure third place and the East’s final automatic berth to Casper. The Dogies capped the weekend with 40 kills, five aces, and an outstanding 8 total blocks. Olson again paced the attack with 11 kills, and Dresen added 10, while Von Eye finished with 31 assists and 16 digs. Pederson chipped in seven kills and 19 digs, and Morrill contributed five kills and 11 digs.

“I am so extremely proud that we have had three of our players reach 1,000 digs or assists this season,” Crabtree added. “Sydney Pederson reached 1,000 digs at regionals and Delainey Dresen reached 1,000 digs during our last regular season game. Kyndal Von Eye reached 1,000 assists during our game last Friday as well.”

The Dogies’ berth marks their first State appearance since 2022, when they entered as the No. 4 seed from the East but fell in a tough draw against eventual second- and third-place finishers Lyman and Wheatland. This time, they’ll go in with momentum — and confidence — after one of the program’s most complete regional performances in years.

“I am beyond proud of this group of girls for all their hard work to come out the third seed at regionals this year!” the coach said after the team returned from Rawlins.

Newcastle opens the 2025 3A State Volleyball Tournament on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. against Lovell, the No. 3 seed from the West. The Bulldogs (Lovell) lost to Cody in four sets in the 3A West championship last weekend in Pinedale.

“We are looking forward to this coming week,” Crabtree said.

Dogie Statistical Highlights – 3A East Regionals

Newcastle def. Buffalo, 25–18, 25–13, 25–13
Team Totals: 29 kills, 8 digs, 8 aces
Leaders: Olson 17 kills, 21 digs; Pederson 5 kills, 20 digs; Von Eye 23 assists, 5 aces; Morrill 6 kills, 12 digs

Torrington def. Newcastle, 25–19, 25–18, 25–23
Team Totals: 30 kills, 8 digs, 30 assists
Leaders: Olson 9 kills, 21 digs; Dresen 9 kills, Von Eye 26 assists, Pederson 16 digs

Newcastle def. Rawlins, 25–12, 25–17, 25–15
Team Totals: 35 kills, 8 aces, 35 assists
Leaders: Olson 11 kills, Pederson 7 kills, 12 digs; Morrill 7 kills, Von Eye 27 assists, Dresen 16 digs

Newcastle def. Wheatland, 19–25, 25–11, 25–16, 25–15
Team Totals: 40 kills, 5 aces, 8 blocks
Leaders: Olson 11 kills, 30 digs; Dresen 10 kills, Von Eye 31 assists, Pederson 19 digs