COEUR d'ALENE - With their backs against the wall, the Lake City volleyball team showed why they are currently the class of the 5A Inland Empire League.

The Timberwolves (10-3, 3-0 5A IEL) battled back from a four-point deficit in the final set in a 25-27, 25-15, 16-25, 25-19, 15-12 victory over the Coeur d'Alene Vikings (8-6, 1-3 IEL) on Tuesday night at Coeur d'Alene High.

"We came into this game knowing there would be a lot of intense plays with a loud crowd," Lake City outside hitter Jennifer Schuman said.

Schuman ended the second and fourth sets with kills. She had 19 in the match.

Down 9-5 in the tiebreaking set, the Timberwolves went on a seven-point rally to take the lead and silence a raucous Viking crowd.

"It was definitely intense," Schuman said of the final set. "Everyone was screaming, trying to pump each other up. They are a great team but so are we, and we came in and mentally supported each other."

The Vikings were able to even the final game at 12, but a number of errors prevented them from closing the door.

"We didn't play consistently," Coeur d'Alene coach Dee Pottenger said. "When we played well, we played really well, but we only did it for two games - we needed three to win the match."

Coeur d'Alene had four consecutive errors in the final set, allowing Lake City back into the match.

“I think we are a very athletic team, very aggressive, and we take risks,” Pottenger said. “Our errors were aggressive errors but unforced errors, so we gave them some key points at key times.”

The Timberwolves were without junior outside hitter Kylie Curtis, who was sidelined with a sprained ankle.

“We were kind of used to having her,” Lake City coach Bret Taylor said. “She is a heavy hitter and adds a lot to our offense.”

With Curtis’ absence, the Timberwolves switched to a 5-1 defense instead of their normal 6-2.

“It’s a head game,” Schuman said. “Not having Kylie definitely takes away a hard hitter from our offense but the nice thing is our team has been able to pick up any slack that we need to.”

Curtis is expected to return to practice this week.

Anyssa Matheson led all Vikings with five aces, including a stretch of four straight during the third set. Matheson and junior Kayla McGlathery each had 11 kills. Maddy Seaman tallied nine kills.

Mackenzie Brown tallied eight digs for Lake City. Kelly Jo Cutler had eight blocks and Camille Rounds had 35 assists.

“Our kids played great and I’m excited for them,” Taylor said. “This game is a lot about believing in what you can do and what you’re capable of doing.”

The Timberwolves are now 2-0 against the Vikings. Lake City won 3-1 back on Sept. 8 at Lake City.

Coeur d’Alene heads to Moscow on Thursday, while Lake City is off until next Tuesday when the Timberwolves travel to Sandpoint.