PREP VOLLEYBALL: Timberlake sweeps Bonners Ferry for district title

BONNERS FERRY — Minus one of their key players from the first match two nights earlier, the second-seeded Timberlake Tigers finished off a sweep on the top-seeded Bonners Ferry Badgers, winning 17-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-21, 15-10 on Wednesday to capture the 4A District 1 championship. 

Senior Willow Mattson had 17 assists, six digs and five aces for Timberlake (8-11). Shae Jones added seven blocks, four kills, eight digs and four aces, Addie Archer 22 digs and six kills, Rhylee Yetter six kills and 16 digs, Prestyn Gardner five kills, five digs and two blocks. 

Archer came out briefly in the first set when she landed on a teammate's foot, but was able to return. 

"After Monday’s strong finish, we lost one of our middle hitters (Layla Webb) to a shoulder injury," Timberlake coach Lisa Gardom said. "So, like we have done all season, we pivoted and asked our players to step up and be willing to adjust to whatever came their way in the game tonight. We asked them to play for one of their teammates and I believe that helped them stay focused. We knew it wouldn’t be easy and Bonners made us work for it, but I couldn’t be more proud of every one of my team for staying engaged and working through the chaos. We had to really fight for this win and that’s what makes it that much sweeter."

Since Timberlake, ranked 12th by MaxPreps, is not among the top eight in the rankings, it is believed the Tigers will end up playing a state play-in match a week from Saturday, at a site to be determined. 

Bonners Ferry (7-13), ranked 13th, will await its play-in fate next week.