PREP VOLLEYBALL: Kellogg on to state again; Priest River eyes state play-in

3A

MOSCOW — Sophomore Gretah Angle had 24 kills and 14 digs for the top-seeded Kellogg Wildcats in a 25-14, 22-25, 25-13, 21-25, 15-8 win over the second-seeded Priest River Spartans in the championship match of the 2A District 1-2 tournament at Bear Den on Saturday. 

Senior Paige Yrjana had 14 digs and 12 assists, junior Ella Yrjana 49 assists and eight kills, senior Jordyn Stutzke 14 digs and junior Hadley Bush with nine kills for Kellogg (18-1), which is ranked second in 3A by MaxPreps, which is used to seed the state tournament.  

Kellogg, which won its second straight district title, and third in four years, opens at state on Oct. 29 at Lewiston High.

“Priest River came to play and it was a great match today,” Kellogg coach Hollie Yrjana said. “Their defense was great today and they really made us work. I’m really proud of my girls for never acting like they were going to lose. They just dug deep and kept working.” 

The Spartans claimed the first point of the winner-take-all final set, but the Wildcats stormed back with a seven-point run to take control. Priest River battled back to cut the lead to 11-8, but Kellogg hit the accelerator to close it out. 

Senior Ragyn Turner and freshman Ava Griesemer had 13 kills each for Priest River. Griesmer had five blocks and two aces and senior Haylee Jepson-Church had 33 assists. Senior Callie Stanger contributed a team-high 31 digs. Turner added 18 digs and junior McKinley Burgess-Duquette had 17 digs and nine kills.

Priest River d.

Orofino

In the second-place match, the Spartans rallied in another five-setter over the Maniacs, 25-17, 24-26, 26-24, 20-25, 15-7.

Turner led the Spartans in kills yet again with 21 and four aces, while Burgess-Duquette added 15 kills and three aces. The duo not only powered the offense, but the defense as well, with 23 digs each while Stanger added 22 digs. Jepson-Church contributed 33 assists. 

Orofino, which beat St. Maries (8-14) in a loser-out match earlier Saturday, finished 6-12.

Priest River (15-4), ranked sixth in 3A by Max Preps, is in line for a state play-in match next Saturday. The Spartans will learn their fate on Wednesday.

Lakeland d. 

Moscow  

RATHDRUM — The top-seeded Hawks made quick work of the fourth-seeded Bears for the second time in three days, this time in the first round of the 5A Region 1 tournament, winning 25-16, 25-12, 25-11 at Hawk Court. 

Senior Jolie Warren had nine kills and eight aces for Lakeland (15-13), which will play host to second-seeded Lewiston (14-11) for the district title Tuesday at 6 p.m. Kindell Day had 17 assists for the Hawks, Anabel Bowie four blocks, Emma Beaty 13 digs, Shasta Ackerman 10 digs. 

"We stayed focused and found our rhythm," Lakeland coach Kelsie Badger said. "Jolie and Kindell played consistent, helping lead the team and maintain momentum. Shasta and Emma brought scrappy defense, working hard to keep the ball alive and refusing to let easy points fall to the floor. The team’s focus and determination were key to the performance, and we will carry this momentum into Tuesday night." 

Moscow finished 2-14. 

Lewiston d.

Sandpoint

LEWISTON — The third-seeded Bulldogs saw their season end with a 26-24, 25-14, 24-26, 23-25, 15-6 loss to the second-seeded Bengals in the loser-out first round of the 5A District 1-2 Tournament on Saturday at Lewiston High. 

Sandpoint (8-11-1), ranked 12th in 5A by MaxPreps, was led by sophomore Ali Gunter’s 21 kills, with only five errors, and 13 digs.  

Lewiston, ranked fifth, plays at sixth-ranked Lakeland on Tuesday at 6 p.m. for the district championship.

Sophomore Aria Lawson made her first appearance hitting on the front row for the varsity team and stepped up to the challenge, posting four blocks and three aces. Sophomore Hailey Gion had 22 digs while sophomore setter Averi Mire added 41 assists. 

Sandpoint head coach Karen Alsager commended the team’s fight after falling to Lewiston in three sets just two days ago on Thursday. 

"This is a young team, and I was able to get a good glimpse of what they can hopefully accomplish in the future,” Alsager said. 

Senior Marlee Lane totaled 10 kills and three aces for the Bulldogs.

“It will be really tough losing Marlee,” Alsager said. “She had a tremendous season.”