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PREP VOLLEYBALL: Gonzales named IEL Newcomer of the Year; Platte, Lane receive honors

MAX OSWALD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 1 month AGO
by MAX OSWALD
I grew up in the small town of Orwigsburg, Pa., where I resided all of my life before moving to Sandpoint. I attended Blue Mountain High School, where I participated in cross country and track and field, a sport that I ended up falling in love with. I went on to attend and run for DeSales University (with other brief stints at Susquehanna University and Elizabethtown College) and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sport communication with a minor in sport management. I remember just how great it made me feel when I was mentioned in my hometown newspaper. I want to be able to give that feeling to every athlete in Bonner County, no matter how big or small their accomplishments are. As an athlete myself, I know how many hours of work are put in on a daily basis, and that hard work deserves to be recognized. It is my goal to cover as much of the Bulldogs, Spartans and Wampus Cats as I can. I want to work with every athlete, parent, coach, administrator and the community to ensure the best stories are published. | November 2, 2023 1:00 AM

IEL Co-Newcomer of the Year: Sophomore, Belen Gonzales

Belen produced blocks and kills at key moments for the Bulldogs this season. In total she racked up 70 kills and 25 blocks.

"She is so deserving of being newcomer of the year," head coach Piper Wahlin said. "Her versatility as a middle attacker has blown me away, and she’s become more effective hitting from everywhere on the court as the season went one. She was our team block leader, and our highest producing middle attacker. Something that makes Belen unique as a middle hitter is how good of a passer and defender she is. I can’t wait to see what she does in the next two years."

First Team: Senior, Aubree Lane

Aubree was one of the go-to outside hitters this year and did a little bit of everything on the court. She recorded 215 kills and 128 digs this season.

"It’s been so fun to watch her grow in this program," Wahlin said. "From being my libero as a freshman, to becoming such an offensive threat at the varsity level for the last two years. Her passion for the game is something I related to more than anything, and I think that passion fueled her to become an amazingly well-rounded player. As a six-rotation outside hitter, she is leaving the program with big shoes to fill."

    Sandpoint's Aubree Lane looks to tap the ball over two Moscow defenders in a game earlier this season at Les Rogers Court.

First Team: Senior, Vivian Platte

Vivian was arguably Sandpoint's most powerful hitter this year, and proved that by recording a team-high 232 kills to go along with 121 digs this season.

"Her natural ability is enviable, and she’s shown how versatile she is by transitioning from a middle attacker to a six-rotation outside hitter," Wahlin said. "Not to mention, she was our teams kill leader and had the third highest digs on the team. We will miss her greatly on the court next year and I’d be lucky to have more athletes with her raw talent."


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