Last season: 10-10, 4th in 3A Central Idaho League

Coaches: Katlyn Ward ('15), head coach, third year; Lindsay Troudt, assistant coach; Heidi Luckey, assistant coach

Key returners: Jayda Storro, S/RS, sr.; Toni Marinello, L/DS, sr.; Aleigha Jensen, MH, sr.; Kenadie Kingery, MB/RS, sr.; Raygn Turner, OH, jr.; Callie Stanger, DS/RS, jr.

Key losses to graduation: Paityn Yount, OH/RS/MB; Desi Humphrey, OH/RH/S.

Key newcomers: McKinley Burgess-Duquette, so.

Outlook: The Lady Spartans took a big leap forward last year under third-year head coach Katlyn Ward, reaching double digits in the win column for the first time in many seasons. 

Two-time All-Central Idaho League selections Jayda Storro, setter and right-side hitter, and Toni Marinello, defensive specialist, led Priest River all the way to the district championship match last year, upsetting one-seeded Kellogg in the first round as the fourth-seed. The two seniors return and are a force to be reckoned with. A year ago, Marinello posted a team-high 305 digs and 254 serve receptions while Storro tallied a team-high 307 assists and 43 aces. 

Filling in for all-league selection Desi Humphrey and seasoned starter Paityn Yount will be senior middle hitter Aleigha Jensen and junior outside hitter Raygn Turner. Jensen recorded a team-high 67 total blocks (28 solo, 39 assisted) and 63 kills in 2024 while Turner, a Daily Bee Athlete of the Week honoree, produced 92 kills and 212 digs.

Look for senior middle blocker and right-side hitter Kenadie Kingery and junior defensive specialist and right-side hitter Callie Stanger to see extended time this year. The duo played in nearly every set last season for the Lady Spartans. Full-time newcomer McKinley Burgess-Duquette, a sophomore, is set to make an impact, as are freshman Hadley Sandau and juniors Haylee Jepson-Church and Jasmine Stark.

With Storro and Marinello leading this group, they're going to be hard to stop. The Lady Spartans have a real shot at capturing that elusive 3A CIL district championship this season and could even make some serious noise at the state tournament.

Coach's comments: "We have an older team this year, which is great because we've had a younger one the last couple of seasons. Hopefully, this is our year and we can get it done." - Coach Katlyn Ward

About Jayda Storro and Toni Marinello: "We've been talking about leadership and the roles that we play on the court. I've told them how important it will be to show those skills, show how they lead, so that these girls can learn from them." - Coach Katlyn Ward

About coaching these girls for both Priest River and River City Volleyball Club throughout the years: "This group of girls has been the biggest, longest group that we've had. It's cool seeing their hard work from River City transfer over to the school season. They've been working hard for many years." - Coach Katlyn Ward 

Player comments: "I'm excited because we have a bunch of new girls coming up to varsity — I'm excited to play with them. I like how energetic our team is." - Jayda Storro

"I think we have a really good chance of going to state. We have a lot of potential heading into this season. We all have a special bond both on and off the court, no matter what happens." - Toni Marinello

Most anticipated matchup: Kellogg

Fun Fact: All three of the team's coaches are graduates of Priest River High.

Priest River Volleyball Schedule

8/26 — @ Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m.

8/28 — @ Genesis Prep, 6 p.m.

9/2 — vs. St. Maries, 7 p.m.

9/4 — vs. Kellogg, 7 p.m.

9/9 — vs. Riverside, 7 p.m.

9/11 — vs. Newport, 7 p.m.

9/13 — vs. Grangeville, 2 p.m.

9/15 — vs. Timberlake, 7 p.m.

9/20 — vs. Orofino, 3 p.m.

9/23 — vs. Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m.

9/25 — @ St. Maries, 7 p.m.

9/29 — @ Newport, 7 p.m.

10/7 — @ Kellogg, 7 p.m.

10/10 — @ Orofino, 2 p.m.

10/11 — @ Grangeville, 2 p.m.

10/15-18 — @ District Championship, TBD

10/30-11/1 — @ IHSAA State Championship, TBD

* dates and times subject to change

2024 RESULTS

8/27 — vs. Timberlake W 3-1

8/29 — vs. St. Maries W 3-0

9/7 — vs. Newport W 3-0

9/9 — vs. Riverside W 3-0

9/10 — vs. Kellogg L 3-2

9/12 — @ Riverside W 3-2

9/17 — @ St. Maries W 3-2

9/20 — vs. Orofino L 3-0

9/21 — @ Grangeville L 3-2

9/23 — vs. Bonners Ferry L 3-2

9/26 — @ Kellogg L 3-1

10/3 — @ Orofino W 3-2

10/8 — @ Timberlake W 3-2

10/10 — @ Newport L 3-1

10/12 — vs. Grangeville L 3-0

10/14 — @ Bonners Ferry L 3-2

10/18 — vs. Kellogg W 3-1*

10/18 — vs. St. Maries W 3-0*

10/19 — vs. Grangeville L 3-1*

10/19 — vs. Orofino L 3-0*

* denotes district playoff game

    Priest River High senior Toni Marinello digs out a ball during a non-league match against Bonners Ferry last season.