PREP VOLLEYBALL: Post Falls wins 6A IEL title

COEUR d'ALENE — Post Falls battled back from a first-set loss to beat host Lake City 22-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-20 to win the 6A Inland Empire League title outright on Thursday night. 

Post Falls (20-3, 4-0 6A IEL) shared the Inland Empire League title in 2023, and won it outright in 2021. Even had Lake City (19-9, 2-2) won, Post Falls had already clinched the No. 1 seed to the 6A District 1 tournament, based on the tiebreaker of the two teams' records vs. 5A IEL schools. 

Peyton Barclift had 20 kills and four aces for Post Falls. Teresa Smith added 14 kills, 12 digs and two aces, Lucy Carr 24 assists, 14 digs and two aces, Lucy Smith 20 assists, Reese DeGraw four blocks, Annabelle Tucker three blocks and four aces. 

"Lake City brought a lot of fight tonight and really challenged our defense," first-year Post Falls coach Casey Cornett said. "Even knowing we had already clinched first place in the conference, our girls didn't let up. It wasn't an easy match, but I’m super proud of the adjustments we made after the first set to respond and take three straight. Finishing as conference champions means a lot, but seeing them compete with that level of grit tonight means even more." 

For Lake City, Camryn Woodman had 12 kills, 10 digs and two aces, Kate Moglia 31 assists and seven digs, Alaina Freed seven kills and two aces, Sonia-Rei Fong 15 digs  

"Thought we had 'em for a moment but we got flat in too big of spurts, and you can’t get down too far against a team like Post Falls," Lake City coach Michelle Kleinberg said. "This one stings but it’s exciting to be starting postseason play." 

Lake City will play host to No. 3 seed Coeur d'Alene on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the loser-out first round of districts. The winner advances to play top seed Post Falls in a best-of-3 series for the district title, with the first match next Thursday at Post Falls. 

Coeur d'Alene d. 

Moscow 

COEUR d'ALENE — Senior Hannah Shafer had 16 assists and five kills, and senior Jovie Le added six kills as the host Vikings swept the Bears 25-17, 25-8, 25-12 in their regular season finale at Viking Court. 

"Senior night is always special," Coeur d'Alene coach Carly Curtis said. "Hannah and Jovie are a great representation of what Viking volleyball stands for — hard work, dedication, leadership, and playing for something bigger than themselves. I’m incredibly proud of the impact they’ve made on our program and the legacy they leave behind.” 

Marly Sutich added nine kills and two blocks for Coeur d'Alene (22-7). Julianna Hasso had 10 digs and two aces, Emily Hackett 16 assists and two aces, Embree McKeown 14 digs and two aces, Avery Wilson seven kills, Aubrey Voorhees two aces, Lola Ruggiero two blocks. 

Moscow is 1-13. 

No. 3 seed Coeur d'Alene plays at No. 2 Lake City on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the loser-out first round of the 6A District 1 tournament. The winner plays at top seed Post Falls next Thursday in the first match of a best-of-3 series for the district title. 

Lakeland d. 

Lewiston 

LEWISTON — Sophomore Jaeli Hoffman had 11 kills, four aces, 18 assists and 12 digs as the visiting Hawks beat the Bengals 25-22, 25-18, 23-25, 25-18 to close in on the 5A Inland Empire League title. 

Jolie Warren added 13 kills for Lakeland (13-12, 4-0 5A IEL). Anabel Bowie had 10 kills, three aces and seven blocks, Kindell Day 20 assists and five blocks, Emma Beaty 18 digs and six aces. 

"I’m incredibly proud of our girls tonight," Lakeland coach Kelsie Badger said. "We fought for every point, played with rhythm, and showed what we’re capable of when we trust each other and compete together. Jaeli had a big night, making an impact all over the court. Kindell did a great job mixing up the sets and making a difference both offensively and defensively. I’m especially proud of Anabel and how aggressive she was at the net, blocking, attacking, and serving with confidence. Emma had an outstanding night behind the service line, serving six aces to help bring us back in the third set, while also digging some tough, aggressive hits. This team fought hard, stayed in rhythm, and kept competing for every point. Nights like this are a reminder of what we can accomplish when we play together and believe in each other. So proud of this group and the fight they showed tonight." 

Lewiston is 12-11, 3-2. 

Lakeland travels to Sandpoint on Tuesday. 

Timberlake d. 

St. Maries  

SPIRIT LAKE — Junior Addie Archer had seven aces, six kills and 11 digs for the Tigers in a 25-8, 25-10, 25-18 nonleague sweep of the Lumberjacks at Timberlake High. 

Junior Shae Jones had four blocks, three kills and two aces, sophomore Layla Webb eight kills, senior Willow Mattson 10 assists and sophomore Jordyn Parke eight assists for Timberlake (6-11). 

“Tonight was a very special night,” Timberlake coach Lisa Gardom said. “We celebrated our seniors and their hard work and leadership in our program. We highlighted a deserving family at Timberlake whose mom, Sabrina Dilday, is currently fighting a battle with cancer. During the games, we were able to raise $561 and donate it to her and her family at the end of the night. To cap it all off, everything came together on the court. We served aggressively, utilized a quick offense, had high energy, and gave maximum effort. What a night to put it all together.” 

Timberlake travels to Bonners Ferry for Game 1 of the 4A District 1 best-of-3 championship series. In the regular season, Bonners Ferry won both matches, and can advance to state with a win on Monday. If Timberlake wins, the teams will continue the best-of-3 series at Bonners Ferry next Wednesday, and Thursday if necessary. 

St. Maries (8-11) hosts Moscow to conclude the regular season on Saturday. 

Kootenai Classical d. 

Coeur du Christ 

COEUR d’ALENE — Freshman Maddie Morris had 18 kills and eight digs for the Kodiaks, who took the first two sets, then closed out the match in the fifth to beat the Saints 25-19, 25-15, 21-25, 20-25, 15-7 at Holy Family Catholic School. 

Freshman Chaimolia Sullivan had seven kills, seven digs and six blocks, freshman Avery Myers 27 assists and six digs, sophomore Angel Touraille four aces and sophomore Abbey Schurter seven digs for Kootenai Classical Academy, which finishes the season 10-5. 

“I’m very proud of these girls for working so hard, growing so much, and for truly becoming a team,” said Kootenai Classical coach Jacqueline Myers, whose team will becoming a full member of the Idaho High School Activities Association next fall. “The Saints battled back very well, but these girls learned firsthand about the power of resiliency, a strong mental game, and how to fight back after some frustrating moments. What an amazing win and an amazing way to finish out our season.” 

Coeur du Christ (12-4) faces Kootenai in the semifinals of the 1A District 1 tournament at North Idaho College’s Christianson Gymnasium on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Lakeside d. 

Kootenai 

HARRISON FLATS — The visiting Knights won the final three sets to beat the Warriors 17-25, 25-21, 25-13, 25-21 in the regular season finale for both at Kootenai High. 

Further information was not available. 

Lakeside (7-11) faces Genesis Prep in a semifinal match in the 2A District 1 tournament on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at North Idaho College’s Christianson Gymnasium. 

Kootenai (6-10) faces Coeur du Christ in the semifinals of the 1A District tournament on Tuesday at 5 p.m., also at North Idaho College.