ST. MARIES — It only took three sets for the Priest River Spartans to cruise past St. Maries in a Central Idaho League contest on Tuesday night. 

After a slow start, Priest River found their momentum in the middle of the first set. The Spartans exploded for a six-point run in the middle of the set to extend their lead to 17-10 before they took the set 25-13. 

Priest River used another run, this time of seven points, at the beginning of the second set to claim a lead they’d never relinquish. The Lumberjacks fought back in the middle set, staying within four or five points of the Spartans. However, Priest River took advantage of their size at the net and closed the door on St. Maries to win the second set 25-21. 

The Spartans returned to their dominant ways in the final set, turning a 7-7 tie into a 19-8 lead in the matter of moments in St. Maries. A late rally from the Lumberjacks cut the Spartans’ lead to 24-20, but an error sealed the sweep for Priest River 25-20. 

The sweep was the third in a row for the Priest River Spartans, who improved to 6-1 and 2-0 in the 3A Central Idaho League. Through seven games, the Spartans have only dropped four sets, all to Bonners Ferry. 

Priest River will travel to Kellogg on Thursday for a Central League matchup at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed on NFHS for those who want to watch the Spartans take on the Wildcats.