Last season: 6-20 (including three-set matches), last in 5A Inland Empire League.

Coaches: Piper Wahlin ('10), third year; Savanna Scott, assistant coach.

Key returners: Belen Gonzales, OH/MB, sr.; Marlee Lane, MH/OH, jr.; Gretta Beck, OH/DS, sr.; Alex Appl, RS, sr; Hazel Pierce, MH, sr.

Key newcomers: Averi Mire, S, fr.; Breecyn Morton, S, so.; Ali Gunter, OH/MB, fr.

Key losses to graduation: Calie Bailey, S/RS; Audrey Petruso, DS/S.

Outlook: Although fairly competitive at a couple of tournaments last season, the Lady Bulldogs did not win a single five-set match. Nevertheless, third-year head coach Piper Wahlin is confident that this team will rebound... in a big way.

Former captains Calie Bailey and Audrey Petruso are out, but Sandpoint returns a lot of firepower. Senior Belen Gonzales, outside hitter and middle blocker, and senior Hazel Pierce, middle hitter, will lead an established front row. Gonzales posted a team-high 101 kills, 156 digs, 13 aces and 12 blocks a year ago while Pierce registered 99 kills, 14 aces and a team-high 24 blocks.

Marlee Lane, a junior middle and outside hitter, played in every set as a sophomore and is primed for a standout season. Last season, she tallied 82 kills and 11 blocks — impressive numbers that should continue to rise. On the back row, senior defensive specialist and outside hitter Gretta Beck is back after recording 192 digs, 28 aces and 371 serve receptions a year ago.

Look for senior right-side hitter Alex Appl, who had 57 kills, 13 aces and three blocks last season, to see extended time this year. At the setter position, the Lady Bulldogs will turn to freshman Averi Mire and sophomore Breecyn Morton, both of whom will play a key role in Sandpoint's success this season.

When interviewing the team at Les Rogers Court, they said it best — this is a year of redemption.

Coach's comments: "I love my senior class, they make me emotional when I think about this being their last year. I've coached them since seventh grade. Every senior class has different things that they bring, but this group, despite not having the most success or victories, has no quit and are willing to have tough conversations. They're so inclusive with the underclassmen. It's just a very special senior class, they're amazing, all in their own way." - Coach Piper Wahlin 

About Averi Mire and Breecyn Morton: "They're going to figure it out and they're going to grow quickly. They bring different strengths to the court. It's going to be an adjustment, but I'm confident we'll figure it out." - Coach Piper Wahlin

About the team's power this season: "This is the first time, ever, that I've coached seven hitters that are really talented. They can hit anywhere. Every single one of my front row players has played in every front row position. At no point do we have to be so specialized or specific in one position. It's rare, and I'm excited about that." - Coach Piper Wahlin

About the league's competition: "If we focus on what we're doing on our side, we're going to get the job done this year. Other teams will have their standouts, and we'll figure out how to adapt to that." - Coach Piper Wahlin 

Most anticipated matchup: Lakeland

Fun fact: Head coach Piper Wahlin was a part of both the 2006 and 2008 state champion volleyball teams.

Sandpoint Volleyball Schedule 

8/23 — vs. Lake City, 1:30 p.m. 

8/26 — vs. Post Falls, 7 p.m. 

8/28 — vs. Coeur d’Alene, 7 p.m. 

8/29 — vs. Bonners Ferry, 3 p.m. 

9/2 — vs. Moscow, 7 p.m. 

9/4 — @ Coeur d’Alene, 7 p.m. 

9/9 — @ Lake City, 7 p.m. 

9/18 — vs. Lakeland, 7 p.m. 

9/25 — vs. Lewiston, 7 p.m. 

9/27-28 — @ Linda Sheridan Classic (Shadle Park) 

10/7 — @ Moscow, 7 p.m. 

10/14 — @ Timberlake, 5:30 p.m.; @ Lakeland, 7 p.m. 

10/16 — @ Lewiston, 7 p.m. 

10/18 — District Championships (first round), TBD 

* Schedule as of 8/20, dates and times subject to change 

2024 RESULTS

8/26 — vs. Post Falls L 3-0

8/29 — @ Coeur d'Alene L 3-0

8/30 — @ Bonners Ferry L 3-2

9/3 — @ Moscow L 3-0

9/5 — vs. Coeur d'Alene L 3-0

9/7 — vs. Troy (Idaho) L 2-0

9/7 — vs. Lewiston L 2-0

9/7 — vs. Logos W 2-0

9/7 — vs. Timberline (Weippe) W 2-0

9/10 — vs. Lake City L 3-1

9/12 — @ Post Falls L 3-0

9/19 — @ Lakeland L 3-0

9/23 — @ Lake City L 3-0

9/26 — @ Lewiston L 3-0

9/28 — vs. Jackson (Wash.) L 2-0

9/28 — vs. Moscow W 2-0

9/28 — vs. East Lake (Wash.) W 2-0

9/28 — vs. White River (Wash.) L 2-0

9/28 — vs. Glacier Peak (Wash.) L 2-0

9/28 — vs. Reardan (Wash.) W 2-0

9/28 — vs. Cheney (Wash.) W 2-0

10/1 — vs. Moscow L 3-0

10/8 — vs. Lakeland L 3-0

10/17 — vs. Lewiston L 3-1

10/22 — @ Lakeland L 3-0*

* denotes district playoff game

    Sandpoint High senior outside hitter/middle blocker Belen Gonzales reaches up to return a ball during a 6A/5A Inland Empire League game against Lake City last season.