PREP VOLLEYBALL: Coeur d'Alene rallies, clinches league title

COEUR d’ALENE — Down two sets to one, the Coeur d’Alene Vikings focused on “controlling the controllables,” as their coach Carly Curtis put it. 

Senior Gianna Callari had 30 kills and 18 digs, and junior Hannah Shafer set a school record with 52 assists and also had three aces as Coeur d’Alene rallied to beat the Post Falls Trojans 20-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20, 15-4 in the annual Volleyball 4 the Cure match for cancer awareness Tuesday night at Viking Court. 

“Once we got past the emotions we found some grit, and played a good match,” Curtis said. “We knew in our hearts we had to step up and clean up our game a little bit.” 

Kaylee Paulson added 17 kills, 12 digs and three blocks for Coeur d’Alene (15-1, 3-2 6A Inland Empire League), which wrapped up the league title and a berth as the top seed in the best-of-3 district championship series. Bridget Maiani had 29 digs and two aces for the Vikings, Camryn Farrar 12 kills, Jovie Le four blocks. 

“We knew we had a game plan coming in, we just had to execute it,” Curtis said. "They (the Trojans) did a good job working our block a little bit and hit around us; I was impressed. 

"Gianna did an amazing job bringing up her teammates, and Kaylee and Cam were big outside. Cam plays mostly back row for her club team, and we needed her as a hitter tonight.” 

The previous record for assists in a match was 46, set by Natalie Stewart in 2008. 

For Post Falls (12-6, 1-2), Mia Carr had 30 digs, Teresa Smith 22 digs, nine kills and three blocks, Zuri Blood 12 kills, Claire Ziegler 22 assists and two aces, Lucy Carr 19 assists, Tiffany Foxxseven blocks, Rylie Gump three blocks. 

“What a battle,” Post Falls coach Matt Barkley said. “I’m really proud of how hard our girls fought tonight. Mia Carr was a digging machine. She dug nearly everything they hit at us, and our serve receive was spot on tonight. We just need to clean up our unforced errors. I think that was the difference in the fourth and fifth sets.” 

Post Falls plays host to Ferris tonight. 

Coeur d’Alene returns to action this weekend at the Rocky Mountain tournament in Meridian. 

Lewiston d. 

Lake City 

COEUR d’ALENE — The host Timberwolves won the first set, but it was all Bengals after that as Lewiston won 22-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-17 in nonleague play. 

Camryn Woodman had 16 kills and eight digs for Lake City (5-11). Kate Moglia had five kills and 31 assists, Ella Jeanselme eight kills and 10 digs. 

“We keep getting in our own way,” Lake City coach Michelle Kleinberg said, “which is frustrating, but we have a great chance this upcoming weekend to get things clicking. Lewiston played some lights-out defense. Lots of volleyball ahead of us before playoffs to find our groove.” 

Lewiston is 12-5. 

Lake City plays at the Rocky Mountain tournament this weekend in Meridian. 

Lakeland d. 

Timberlake 

RATHDRUM — It was senior night for the Hawks, but that wasn't the only emotion going on at Hawk Court. 

Lakeland’s two seniors came up big as Alyssa Ryckman had 13 kills and Chloe Neff had 22 digs as the Hawks beat the Tigers 25-27, 25-16, 25-17, 25-6. 

“We settled in, tightening up our serve receive, increasing our offensive pressure, and showcasing solid teamwork and communication,” said Lakeland coach Kelsie Badger, who noted the evening was made even more meaningful by the presence of a very special guest.  

“Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Myla, an 8-year-old from Rathdrum, a volleyball fan and an honorary team member for the night, was welcomed to the court with cheers, team gear, and a front-row seat to all the action.  

“Having Myla with us tonight reminded us all what this game and life is really about. It was an honor to share this night with her,” Badger said. 

Jolie Warren had seven kills, Raygen Dutton four blocks and two aces, Kindell Day 20 assists and two aces, Jaeli Hoffman 14 assists for Lakeland.

For Timberlake (6-8), Everlee Powell had 10 kills, six blocks and three aces, Addie Archer 16 digs and five kills, Willow Mattson 16 assists and 10 digs, Shae Jones nine blocks. 

“We came out strong and really battled in the first set,” Timberlake coach Lisa Gardom said. “We had some really great moments throughout, and then lost momentum in the final set. We have some things to work on and games like this help us to know what to focus on.” 

Timberlake plays host to Genesis Prep on Thursday. 

Next up for Lakeland is the Rocky Mountain tournament this weekend in Meridian. 

Orofino d. 

St. Maries 

ST. MARIES — The host Lumberjacks hung tough in all three sets before falling to the Maniacs 25-21, 25-18, 25-22 in Central Idaho League play. 

"We came out tonight ready to play, wanting to play,” St. Maries coach Tammie Woster said. “We made a little tweak in a couple rotations and it really paid off. They really seemed more at ease with each other tonight. They all should be proud of themselves tonight.” 

Sophomore Dimercia Spooner had nine kills, six digs and two blocks for St. Maries (1-12, 0-5 CIL). Lyssa Watkins had 13 assists, Taryn Brebner eight digs and five assists, Brooklyn Scheffelmaier seven digs, Letty Smith eight kills and three digs, Sadie Jones four kills, Hailey Jones three kills. 

Orofino is 6-8, 2-3. 

St. Maries travels to Orofino on Thursday. 

Kellogg d. 

Wallace 

KELLOGG — The Wildcats beat the Miners 25-15, 25-16, 25-14 in their annual Dig Pink match at Andrews Gymnasium. 

No statistics were available for Kellogg (12-0), which hosts Priest River next Tuesday. 

Wallace senior Megan Hull had eight kills and 14 digs, senior Kylee Phillips five kills, 12 digs and one block, senior Aubrey Birdsell eight assists and six digs and junior Kayden Stutzke eight assists and two aces. 

Wallace (9-3) hosts Coeur du Christ on Thursday. 

Lakeside d. 

Genesis Prep 

PLUMMER — Senior Tylah Lambert had 13 aces to go with 15 assists, four kills and three digs as the host Knights swept the Jaguars 25-12, 25-10, 25-12 in Scenic Idaho Conference play at Ron Miller Court. 

Kimberly Pluff added six aces, four kills and six digs for Lakeside (10-1, 4-1 SIC). Rayna Schatz had eight kills and three digs, Saydee Peopne three kills and three digs, Allisue Hendrickx five digs, Ambi Aldrich three kills, Cassidy Gorr three digs, Alberta Stensgar two digs. 

“Rayna ran my net tonight, finding holes and getting touches all over the ball tonight,” Lakeside coach Devyn Moore said. “Tylah again had a crazy serving night; it’s almost like an attack is coming at them with her cannon." 

Lakeside plays host to Kootenai on Thursday. 

Genesis Prep (1-9, 0-4) is home against Mullan tonight. 

    MARK NELKE/Press Post Falls junior Malia Uemoto (11) tips the ball over the net as senior Kaylee Paulson (1) and sophomore Maren Larson (7) defend on Tuesday at Viking Court during the annual Volleyball 4 the Cure match for cancer awareness.