PREP VOLLEYBALL: Timberlake keeps its season alive

BONNERS FERRY — After dropping a pair of five-set matches to Bonners Ferry during Intermountain League play, the Timberlake Tigers went into Monday night's opening match for the 4A District 1 volleyball title vs. the Badgers knowing they needed a win to keep their season alive. 

A win for Bonners Ferry, however, and the Badgers were district champs. 

Timberlake stayed alive, and moved one step closer to a district title with a 25-21, 25-23, 25-13 victory on the Badgers' home court. 

The win now turns the district championship into a best-of-3 series, with the second match Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Bonners. 

"It was a must-win for us having lost twice during the regular season in five sets each, so it was do or die," Timberlake coach Lisa Gardom said.

Willow Mattson had 11 assists, six digs and an ace for Timberlake (7-11). Jordyn Parke had seven assists, four aces and four digs, Shae Jones seven aces, six blocks and two kills, Addie Archer 15 digs, five aces and four kills, Layla Webb five kills and three blocks, Rhylee Yetter five kills, seven digs and two aces. 

"We came into the game knowing we could win, which was half the battle," Gardom said. "The other half was executing good plays and playing aggressively, which we did. Most of our servers got at least one ace tonight so that was awesome to see, and our setters worked hard to set up our hitters. I’m so proud of these girls for fighting through a lot of adversity this season and believing in themselves and their teammates." 

Bonners Ferry is 7-12.

If Timberlake wins Wednesday, the Tigers will likely advance to a state play-in match on Saturday. If Bonners wins, a deciding match for the district title will be Thursday at 6 p.m. at Bonners. 

"We know we have to carry this momentum into Wednesday’s game, and we are ready to do that," Gardom said.