Last season: 5-18, 1-3 in 4A Intermountain 

Coaches: Cynthia Cummings (Head coach), Paula Petesch (Assistant coach), Amanda Graham (Assistant coach) 

Key returners: Taren Bateman, sr.; Aspen Graham, sr.; Jaycee Bateman, so. 

Key newcomers: Bristol Hill, so.; Ryelle Short, jr. 

Outlook: The Bonners Ferry High volleyball team spent 2025 building. This year, the Badgers return all but one of their players and are ready to compete for a trip to the 4A state tournament yet again, head coach Cynthia Cummings said. 

Led by senior co-captains Taren Bateman and Aspen Graham, the Badgers boast a far more experienced roster, which Cummings said has her feeling like the team is ahead of the curve early. The Badgers’ head coach said the captains play key roles, not only on the court, but off it, bringing positive energy and leadership to the team. 

Bonners Ferry will lean on sophomore Jaycee Bateman as their setter. Cummings said the sophomore will be a pivotal piece of the team, as she builds chemistry with the team’s hitters. 

With only 11 players on the roster, Cummings said that every player is invaluable to the team’s success. She said returners like Samantha Cummings, Hana Hanson and the team’s libero Josie Rennie using their experience on the court will be massive for the Badgers. 

Meanwhile, sophomore Bristol Hill and junior Ryelle Short join the team to provide depth and step up when needed. 

Cummings said the team is focusing on their mental game and implementing a “next ball” mindset. Bonners Ferry’s head coach called volleyball a “game of mistakes” and said that the best teams are the ones able to overcome their mistakes with mental toughness.  

The Badgers’ mentality was tested early in their second game of the year against 3A Priest River when Bonners Ferry fell behind by two sets early. Instead of packing it up, Bonners Ferry battled back, ultimately dominating the Spartans in the fifth set to improve to 2-0 on the season. 

Bonners Ferry’s head coach said that was an encouraging sign and that it will only become more important as the team heads into matches against Sandpoint and Timberlake. 

Coach’s comments: 

Cummings on the team’s mentality: “Volleyball is a game of mistakes, so the ability to recover quickly to where a mistake is only just one point, and it doesn't transition into five to six points, and then you're in a hole that you've got to scramble out of. So, we're focusing on the next ball mentality.” 

Cummings on the returning roster: “Since we only had one senior that we lost, it feels as though we're a little ahead of the curve starting out as far as, you know, building that team camaraderie and the chemistry. We kind of just picked up where we left off, so we're just going to keep moving forward to state.” 

Cummings on the team’s most anticipated matchups: “We are looking forward to playing Sandpoint again this year. We are also really looking forward to Timberlake at our Volley for a Cure match on September 29th. That's always a fun evening for the community that we look forward to as well.” 

Schedule: 

8/26 vs Kellogg, 7 p.m. 

8/28 vs Stillwater Christian, 1 p.m. 

8/29 vs Sandpoint, 1:30 p.m. 

9/1 vs Priest River, 7 p.m. 

9/15 @ Lincoln County, 7 p.m. 

9/17 @ Timberlake, 7 p.m. 

9/21 vs Lakeside, 7 p.m. 

9/23 @ Kellogg, 7 p.m. 

9/26 @ Linda Sheridan Classic 

9/29 vs Timberlake, 7 p.m. 

10/8 vs Troy, 7 p.m. 

10/10 @ Stillwater Christian, 5 p.m. 

10/12 vs Timberlake, 6 p.m. 

10/14 vs Timberlake, 6 p.m. 

10/15 vs Timberlake, 6 p.m. 

Schedule of 8/25, subject to change