LEWISTON — Second-seeded Kellogg opened the 3A State Volleyball Tournament with a convincing straight-set victory Thursday, dispatching seventh-seeded Melba 25-18, 25-18, 25-14 at Lewiston High School. 

The Wildcats improved to 16-1 on the season and never trailed for long, overcoming Melba's strongest push in the second set before taking full control of the match. 

Kellogg pulled away comfortably in the opening set, but things got dicey for the Wildcats in the second frame, as Melba raced to an 11-4 lead and briefly threatened to even the match. Juniors Ella Yrjana, Hadley Bush and Bella Schilleriff sparked the Wildcats' response, contributing behind the service line, at the net and across the back row as Kellogg methodically erased the deficit. 

"It was a great team performance," Kellogg coach Hollie Yrjana said. "We had girls making an impact from every spot on the court." 

According to Coach Yrjana, it was that rally that propelled her team to win.  

The Wildcats carried that momentum into the third set and never allowed Melba back into contention. Sophomore Gretah Angle and seniors Paige Yrjana and Jordyn Stutzke helped power Kellogg to a dominant finish and its second opening-round state tournament victory in as many seasons. 

For Melba (16-17), which advanced to state by defeating Priest River in a five-set play-in match on the road last week, the offensive approach centered on repeatedly finding six-foot-three junior outside hitter McKinley Parkinson. Kellogg's defense, however, consistently limited extended runs and kept the Mustangs from building momentum after their second-set surge. 

Ella Yrjana led the way for the Wildcats with 21 serves, 21 assists, 13 digs, nine kills, and five blocks for Kellogg. Angle notched 14 kills, Stutzke finished with 20 digs, and Valynn Visintainer had six blocks.  

"What a great way to start the state tournament," Coach Yrjana said. "We stayed strong with our game plan and played our game. I'm really proud that we played as a solid unit today." 

Kellogg will face West Side, which upset third-seeded Firth in Thursday's opening round, at 3:30 p.m. Friday in the double-elimination tournament's second round with a berth in the semifinals on the line. 

Melba will face Firth in a loser-out match.