Broncos reload after memorable state semifinal run

LIND — If you ask Lind/Ritzville (14-2) Head Coach Cari Galbreath, last season was special for the Broncos.  

“It was just a good mix of players filling their roles all very well, and they were all competitive and intense. It was a memorable season for sure,” Galbreath said.  

After making a run to the semifinals of the 2B state volleyball tournament, the Broncos graduated three seniors: Hannah Towne, Sage and Zoe Galbreath. The trio were core players in the teams starting lineup last season, Galbreath said. However, they return a lot of players this season that got to experience last season’s success.  

“It's just getting those that were here last year and some new ones to fill those roles and get things smoothed out,” the coach said. “The veterans are definitely still doing their job and doing well, so that is exciting. The young ones are stepping in, our speed might be a little different in the beginning, just with the setting and the tempo, and figuring it all out with some big roles, but I definitely think there's capability among them.” 

Stepping into those bigger roles this season is Rose Fedie, Allesandra and Zoe Mendez who bring a lot of talent to the Broncos rotation. Allesandra has shown a lot of growth in her maturity, knowledge and confidence, Galbreath said. Fedie has also shown more maturity and a readiness to step into the leadership role usually paired to upperclassmen.  

Additionally, Zoe brings a prowess to the court that the Broncos will hope to benefit from this season like last year.  

“She's just a powerhouse and moves well and quick,” Galbreath said.  

With the number of returners, Galbreath feels like this team can carry that momentum into 2026.  

“I hope to gain from that and not have such a fall off,” she said. “We still do have things to work out and things to fix and just clean up. We have the mentality of we want to compete and keep our tradition going, where we're one of those top teams people are looking to get after.” 

Meanwhile, they will be navigating a tough league with opponents like Freeman, Almira/Coulee-Hartline, Liberty and Colfax.  

“I always love going in as an underdog, and I think they like to take that role and just fight with nothing to lose,” the coach said. “Liberty is going to be up there this year. They have some good athletes still, and I know Colfax will be better than they were last year, just because they're building and I don't think (they) lost anybody.” 

To find themselves on the right side of the results this season, Galbreath feels a strong defense will be key to their success.  

“For us to be successful is for us to win the defensive game to just wear a team down,” she said. “We've lost some of our size a little bit, and I think we're going to have to just wear them down. We're just going to have that defense mentality, like I'm not letting this ball drop, and we're getting it back over and just fighting.” 

The Broncos were stellar in the defensive game last season, as well. Within their 14 wins, only two teams won two sets against LRS. 12 of their victories were shutouts while the remaining saw a single set given up to the opposition.  

What Galbreath hopes the 2026 team can carry over is the same discipline last years squad had on defense. 

“We were disciplined and just stayed locked in,” Galbreath said. “It allowed us, offensively, to finish some rallies because everybody (was) doing their part defensively. We had this mentality of like, ‘Get in and get out,’ like take care of business – hopefully we can keep that this season as well.”  

In her 12 years as head coach, Galbreath said her favorite part of each new season is diving into the process of growing a team.  

“Each new year, I do like figuring out how to grow the team, like figuring out our weaknesses and how to clean those up and hide them with some strings. It's not about quantity so much as the quality of where we're going to end,” she said. 

The Broncos open the season on Sept. 8 at Davenport before their home opener on Sept. 10 against Reardan at 6:45 p.m. 

    Alle Mendez encourages her teammates at the Lind/Ritzville Broncos volleyball practice.
  

    The Broncos’ Rose Fedie spikes the ball during a drill.
  

    The Broncos’ Catherine Fedie uses a resistance band during a bump drill at Lind/Ritzville's practice.