THE FRONT ROW with MARK NELKE: Cleaning out the notebook, with a spotlight on young women

KYLIE MUNDAY of the University of San Diego, a rising sophomore from Post Falls High, was named the most efficient setter at the recent World University Games in Berlin. 

In 522 total setting attempts (including 288 “still sets” and 226 “running sets”), Munday was charged with just 8 “faults.” 

She also placed 12th among all players at the Games in serving success rate. 

San Diego represented the U.S. in the volleyball competition at the Games. The Toreros posted a 3-3 record, beating teams from Australia, Chile and Mongolia, and losing to teams from Italy, Taipei and Spain. 

Munday was named West Coast Conference Setter of the Year in 2024, and made the all-WCC freshman team for the Toreros, who finished 19-9, 14-1 in the WCC. She led the WCC in assists per set with 9.5, and totaled 251 digs, 52 block assists, 44 kills and 19 aces last season. 

San Diego is scheduled to play at Washington State on Oct. 16. The Toreros play host to Gonzaga in the regular season finale Nov. 29, but are not slated to play the Zags in Spokane as part of the conference’s unbalanced schedule. 

MIA FOLK, a national champion in equestrian, was born and raised in Coeur d’Alene. 

She left Coeur d’Alene at age 12 to train in Southern California with other top riders. 

Now 17, Mia is coming off a national title last year, as the 2024 Junior National Dressage champion. 

Though she is five years removed from North Idaho, she hasn’t forgotten her original instructor, Marion Crumb, 94, of Hayden. 

“I owe a lot of my success to Marion for teaching me the proper fundamentals of riding,” Mia said recently, in a news release. “These fundamentals have allowed me to have the success I've achieved today and I am very grateful for having such a wonderful instructor, If it wasn’t for Marion and sponsors like Jim Kinney for helping me with some of the financial challenges, I would not have reached this level in the equestrian world. My dream is to eventually become a member of the U.S. Olympic Team.” 

Added Randy Folk, Mia’s father: 

“Marion has taught hundreds if not thousands of children FH and horsemanship over her years. She really is an incredible woman who needs to be recognized for her commitment in community and teaching children horsemanship.” 

HAILEY JACKSON played softball at Lake City High, and later competed in Ironman Coeur d’Alene.  

Now 29, Jackson is in the U.S. Air Force, serving as judge advocate and chief of military justice for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Ariz.  

“The chief of justice is also known as the head prosecutor,” she said, in an alumni spotlight article by her alma mater, Daytona State College. “I oversee 12 personnel consisting of lawyers, paralegals and civilians. My favorite part about service is the  mentorship I receive from my leadership and the mentorship I can pass to my team. Our work is very fast paced, my team does a tremendous job, and I could not ask for a better crew.” 

In her role, Jackson oversees all investigations and cases on the base, the story said. 

Jackson played third base at Daytona State, graduating in 2016.  

She then transferred to Embry-Riddle where she studied communications, business management and entrepreneurship — and played softball, the story said. 

Following in her father Mark’s footsteps, Jackson eventually earned a law degree, from Florida A&M University. Later, she was accepted into the Air Force officer training school. While waiting for her orders, the story said, she returned to Coeur d’Alene, passed the bar exam, and began working as an associate criminal defense attorney for Palmer George, P.A. “I had the opportunity to defend clients all around northern Idaho,” she said in the story. “This was my first experience in the courtroom, and I developed my passion for litigation. I thoroughly enjoyed preparing for trials, hearings and court appearances. Even more so, I enjoyed being in the courtroom and advocating for clients.” 

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 208-664-8176, Ext. 1205, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @CdAPressSports.