PREP VOLLEYBALL: Coeur d'Alene sweeps Lakeland in opener

RATHDRUM — Senior Kaylee Paulson had 10 kills, eight digs and two aces for the visiting Coeur d’Alene Vikings in a 25-20, 25-19, 25-11 win over the Lakeland Hawks in the season and Inland Empire League opener for both squads at Hawk Court on Tuesday. 

“It was a very competitive match tonight,” Coeur d’Alene coach Carly Curtis said. “We were tested by Lakeland, but did a good job of sticking together and staying composed. Kaylee had a great all-around performance tonight. We were able to play all five of our sophomores and did a great job off the bench.” 

Senior Camryn Farrar had five kills and two aces, senior Gianna Callari seven kills, junior Bridget Maiani 12 digs, junior Hannah Shafer 23 assists and two blocks for Coeur d’Alene, which travels to Sandpoint on Thursday. 

For Lakeland, senior Alyssa Rickman had five kills and three aces, junior Jolie Warren five kills, senior Chloe Neff 15 digs, junior Kindell Day 10 assists, freshman Jaeli Hoffman nine assists, junior Raygen Dutton three blocks.

"We had a strong showing in a competitive matchup," Lakeland coach Kelsie Badger said. "(Marissa) Benson stepped up to play middle and made a big impact for the team, while Jaeli impressed with some key plays both as a setter and at the net. It was a hard-fought battle that showed the team’s depth and resilience."

Lakeland travels to Post Falls on Thursday.

Moscow d. 

Lake City 

COEUR d’ALENE — Despite 15 kills, seven digs and a block from junior Camryn Woodman, the host Timberwolves fell to Moscow 25-19, 25-18, 12-25, 25-21 in nonleague play. 

Junior Kate Moglia had 28 assists and five kills for Lake City (1-1), and sophomore Ella Jeanselme had 11 kills and three aces. 

“Hats off to Moscow — incredible hustle and defense,” Lake City coach Michelle Kleinberg said. “They kept us from getting our offense going, and just overall we never felt like we could hold on to momentum for very long. It’s early and we have a lot to figure out but it’s a challenge that we embrace. Eyes forward.” 

Moscow is 5-1. 

Lake City returns to action next Thursday at Lakeland. 

Post Falls d. 

Sandpoint 

SANDPOINT — Junior Lucy Carr and sophomore Claire Ziegler had 11 assists each as the visiting Trojans opened their season with a 25-12, 25-18, 25-9 Inland Empire League victory over the Bulldogs at Les Rogers Court.  

Sophomore Zuri Blood had nine kills for Post Falls. Senior Mia Carr had nine digs, junior Teresa Smith four aces, senior Tiffany Foxx three blocks. 

“All facets of our game worked really well tonight,” Post Falls coach Matt Barkley said. “Defense was superb; we picked up pretty much everything they hit at us, and serve receive was dialed in. Good way to start the season.” 

Sandpoint is 0-2, 0-2. 

Post Falls plays host to Lakeland on Thursday. 

Kellogg d. 

Timberlake 

SPIRIT LAKE — The visiting Wildcats won the last two sets to defeat the Tigers 25-21, 21-25, 19-25, 25-18, 15-9 in nonleague play. 

Junior Paige Yrjana had nine kills and 21 digs for Kellogg, in its season opener. Sophomore Ella Yrjana added eight kills and 26 assists, freshman Gretah Angle 11 kills, senior Dani Henrikson three aces. 

“Timberlake put up a huge block and we really had to figure out how to get around it,” said Hollie Yrjana, in the first year of her second stint as Kellogg coach. “We found a lot of success being smart with our attacks, not just swinging hard. Our hustle plays helped keep momentum throughout the night. I'm very proud of the girls for staying competitive and working as a team tonight.” 

For Timberlake (1-1), freshman Jordyn Parke had 20 assists, freshman Everlee Powell 14 kills, seven blocks and three aces, sophomore Addie Archer 22 digs, five kills and three aces, sophomore Ella Johnsen 18 digs, freshman Layla Webb seven blocks. 

On Thursday, Kellogg travels to Wallace, and Timberlake visits Clark Fork. 

Lakeside d. 

Clark Fork 

PLUMMER — Senior Tylah Lambert had 15 assists, seven digs, five kills and three aces as the host Knights opened their season with a 3-2 North Star League victory over the Wampus Cats at Ron Miller Court. 

Set scores were unavailable. 

Senior Kimberly Pluff had six kills, six digs, five assists and three aces for Lakeside. Senior Rayna Schatz had four kills and five digs, sophomore Amby Aldrich four blocks and three kills, senior Izzy Kee four kills, three digs, three assists and two aces, senior Cassidy Gorr five digs. 

“Very proud of my Lakeside girls tonight,” Lakeside coach Devyn Moore said. “They fought hard and didn’t have much give up in them. My seniors played great. Tylah had a great game from running the offense to being a part of our serve receive; she did a great job tonight. Ambi, my big bad middle, played defense well and put up some big blocks on the net. And there were big swings coming from Kimberly and Rayna. Can’t wait to get to practice tomorrow and work on some defense.” 

Lakeside plays at Coeur du Christ on Thursday. 

Coeur du Christ d. 

Kootenai 

COEUR d’ALENE — Senior Kate Clemens had 13 assists and three aces as the Saints beat the Warriors 25-14, 25-9, 29-27 in the season and North Star League opener for both teams at Holy Family Catholic School. 

Junior Angelica Ross had nine kills and three aces for Coeur du Christ, and seniors Maddie Junkin and Ava Fiore each had seven digs. 

“I’m really proud of how the girls showed up for this first game,” Coeur du Christ coach Natalie Kiefer said. “They came ready and dialed. We had some freshmen on the court that had a chance to get those first-game nerves out. And I was blown away by how aggressive the girl stayed on the net. Angelica Ross pounded some balls that really gave us a lot of momentum and helped us to keep the energy high.” 

For Kootenai, seniors Claire Cook, Chloe Dorman, and Kahlen Tondevold provided consistent servers and hits, coach Elexus Moore-Rich said.  

"Our girls were getting their first-game nervousness out the first two sets, but by set three they were ready to play,” Moore-Rich said. “We look forward to playing Coeur du Christ again. We hope to keep the same intensity of our third set throughout the remainder of the season." 

On Thursday, Coeur du Christ plays host to Lakeside at Holy Family, and Kootenai is home vs. Mullan in league play. 

Wallace d.  

St. Maries  

ST. MARIES — Aubrey Birdsell had 13 assists and six digs for the Miners in a 25-11, 25-18, 25-16 win over the Lumberjacks in the season opener for both at St. Maries High. 

Kayden Stutzke had 12 assists and nine aces, Megan Hull 11 kills, seven digs and six aces and Kylee Phillips seven digs and five kills for Wallace, which hosts Kellogg on Thursday. 

St. Maries travels to Priest River next Tuesday.

    MARK NELKE/Press Kootenai sophomore Danielle Myers plays the ball up against Coeur du Christ on Tuesday night at Holy Family Catholic School in Coeur d'Alene.