Walsh Trojans add third state title, earn all-state honors

Kelly Walsh High School volleyball won its third consecutive Class 4A state championship on Saturday. The Trojans defeated Star Valley 3-0 in the final match. This victory secured an undefeated season for the team.

Two Kelly Walsh seniors also received individual recognition on Tuesday. Gia Ireland and Lillian Hudson earned Wyoming Coaches Association all-state honors. It is the third consecutive year both players have received this distinction.

The team’s run to the title included a 3-0 sweep of Star Valley in the quarterfinals. That game took place on Nov. 5 at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper. Ireland served as a setter during that match.

Other state titles were decided at the same venue during the same weekend. Tongue River lost its Class 3A championship match to Lovell on Nov. 7. In the Class 2A bracket, Big Horn defeated Rocky Mountain in the quarterfinals on Nov. 5.

The Kelly Walsh squad entered the tournament with the goal of completing a three-peat. They achieved that goal on Saturday. The all-state selections for Ireland and Hudson were announced on Tuesday following the conclusion of the state tournament.