Priest River volleyball went to state for the first time since their head coach Katlyn Ward's senior season in 2025, and despite losing eight players from that team, the expectations haven't lessened. 

That's due in large part to Ward's effort at the youth level and energetic coaching style, which has built a team familiar with each other and determined to win. Ward said she and assistant coach Lindsey Troudt can barely sit still during games, giving the team energy and continuing the team's playful relationship to the court. 

"If they know I'm frustrated, they'll come up and be like, 'Hey, I think we need to try this,' and so they have that permission," Ward said. "We're not too serious all the time, but they definitely understand that when I'm serious, it's like 'Okay, it's not a joke anymore. Get it together.'" 

The Spartans will be led by senior Raygn Turner and junior McKinley Burgess-Duquette, who both return from last year's state tournament team. Ward said the team's two liberos, senior Callie Stanger and Haylee Jepson, can also be setters, giving the team significant flexibility at that spot. 

While it's rare to see a freshman join the varsity ranks, Ward said they are welcoming Ava Griesemer to the team this year. 

"Extremely talented for her age," Ward said of Griesemer. "We haven't had a true freshman on varsity in a while. We let them float once in a while to gain some knowledge, but this year she's full varsity. That's pretty big for her." 

Courtney Whitaker will also join the Spartan varsity team, bringing more flexibility to the team and allowing Ward to find the right combinations in games. 

"She can play anywhere, so she's kind of a funky kid where she could just play all over the court," Ward said of Whitaker. "It's what you need sometimes." 

Ward said the players' openness to playing out of position is part of what has made them successful. The former Spartan lauded the team's coachability and will even approach Ward with new ideas. 

"They're not selfish," Ward said. "I have some middles who really like playing different spots, and they'll say, 'Hey, you want me to go here this day? And we'll see how it works.' So, they just have a great willingness to just do whatever the team needs. 

The team's approach to building a culture even extends past the positions to the drills that they run in practice. Ward said that since her background is in basketball, having played two years for Spokane Falls Community College, she's still learning how to put together a volleyball training package. 

That's where her girls come in. Ward said as they venture out, the players bring back drills and new experiences to help the Spartans. 

"They get to go to different coaches and like steal their fun drills, and 'Oh, we learned this,' or 'Oh, we should do this.' So, I love it," Ward said. "Some of them don't even play for our club. They go and play for Post Falls or Spokane Club, so they get to go and meet a whole bunch of different girls, which gives them a lot of benefit." 

Priest River opens their season with a home showdown against Bonners Ferry on Monday, Aug. 24. Ward said the entire team is excited and ready for the season to begin. 

"They understand the expectations," Ward said. "Some years you walk into the gym like, 'Oh my gosh.' But this year it's like 'Okay, I think we're going to be just fine.'" 

FUN FACT: The Spartans' trip to state was their first since 2015, and they are looking for their first 3A Central Idaho title since 2013. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Raygn Turner, sr.; McKinley Burgess-Duquette, jr.; Ava Griesemer, fr. 

MOST ANTICIPATED GAMES: Kellogg, 9/17 and 9/22. Ward said that Kellogg is their biggest rival and presents the toughest mental challenge for the girls to overcome. 

SCHEDULE:  

- 8/24 vs Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m. 

- 8/26 @ Timberlake, 7 p.m. 

- 8/29 vs Wallace, 7 p.m. 

- 9/1 @ Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m. 

- 9/8 vs Riverside, 7 p.m. 

- 9/10 vs Orofino, 7 p.m. 

- 9/15 @ St. Maries, 7 p.m. 

- 9/17 @ Kellogg, 7 p.m. 

- 9/21 @ Riverside, 7 p.m. 

- 9/22 vs Kellogg, 7 p.m. 

- 9/26 vs Grangeville, 12 p.m. 

- 9/29 vs St. Maries, 7 p.m. 

- 10/1 vs Timberlake, 7 p.m. 

- 10/5 @ Wallace, 7 p.m. 

- 10/9 @ Grangeville, TBA 

- 10/10 @ Orofino, TBA 

- 10/13 @ CIL District Tournament 

*Schedule as of 8/20, subject to change