Licking Lady Wildcats are District Champs

By Editor | October 29, 2025 |

Photo by Shari Harris
The Class 2 District 8 Girls Volleyball champion Licking Lady Wildcats are, from left, kneeling: Kylee Rinne, Addison Floyd, Kate Mitchell, Jadyn Barnes and Lillian Godi; standing: manager Mya Rinne, Asst. Coach Brenley Smith, Asst. Coach Kamryn Keeney, Bailee Medlock, Lilly Reed, Adalee Hart, Penelope Huff, Hadlee Davis, Peyton Holland, Paxten Keeney, Head Coach Tammy Gorman and manager Millie McCall-Carver.

The Licking Lady Wildcats entered the Class 2 District 8 Girls Volleyball Tournament last week with a number one seed. Their skill and determination showed they had earned that seed when they won the championship match on Friday evening in Dixon, where the tournament was hosted.

Licking received a first round bye and faced fourth-seed Plato on Thursday evening in the semi-final round. The Lady ’Cats showed they wanted their chance at the title, winning in three sets 25‑12, 25‑18 and 25‑13. This advanced them to the championship game against second-seed Steelville on Friday evening.

A spirited Pep Club followed the team to Dixon on Friday evening, and their loyalties were not in question as they loudly cheered on their Lady Wildcats.

Licking started out the evening losing the first set to Steelville, with an 18-25 score. But the team bounced back and took control of the second set, trouncing Steelville 25-9. But the Lady Cardinals regrouped between sets and took the third, with Licking on the short end of the 21-25 score.

With the fourth set potentially being a season-ender, the teams were tied at 21 when Licking senior Kate Mitchell had a big kill out of the middle to put Licking ahead 22-21 and swing the momentum their way. The set went to Licking, 25-21, taking the championship match to a final fifth round.

In the fifth and final set, the Lady ’Cats showed they were there to win and defeated the Lady Cardinals 15-4.

“Winning a district title is skill and a little bit of luck,” said Head Coach Tammy Gorman. “I am really thrilled with how our kids handled the game and maintained a level of composure that we have tried to instill in them all season.”

“During that fourth set, we had all kinds of emotions,” Gorman said, “but we held on and trusted each other throughout the match. We basically controlled the fifth set; Steelville had one of their players get hurt but she came back in, and I know that affected their emotions, too.”

“This is a great accomplishment for these girls. As all know, we have had our ups and downs all season but have kept on plugging along and have improved immensely over the course of the last two months,” Gorman added. “This one is a very special title to me, as I have witnessed the highs and extreme lows we have endured this season. I am thrilled for the girls as they have worked really hard for this.”