Not Great Expectations Nc Again Appears Unlikely To Win A State Volleyball Crown

Two players have taken their games to Division I schools, but at North Central High this volleyball season has a familiar feel.

Just ask Sarah Menard, one of five holdovers from last year’s State AAA championship team.

The similarity, Menard said, is in how people assess the Indians’ chances in the Greater Spokane League.

“Last year, people didn’t have high expectations for us, it seems like,” said NC’s senior setter. “This year, they really don’t because we don’t have a lot of starters back.”

NC never reached its stride last year until the state tournament. Then the Indians, fourth place in the GSL, mowed through the field unbeaten and topped league neighbor Lewis and Clark in the title match.

Menard played a less glamorous role behind team stars Aimee Wilson (now at Gonzaga University) and Tamara Van Engelen (University of Washington).

No longer, however, will Menard stay in the background.

“She is our team leader,” said new NC coach John Reid, also the girls basketball coach. “My setters are always the floor leaders.

“We always use the analysis of Dan Marino, in that commercial, taking care of his linemen (by buying them gloves for Christmas). Our hitters aren’t allowed to look cross-eyed at the setters at all.”

Speaking of cross looks, the Indians exchanged a few last year before their title run. All was not well after former coach Linda Bushinski (now a Ferris assistant) disagreed with the players’ decision to forfeit matches at the Crossover Classic to attend a dance.

NC held tough, however, earning the fourth and final berth from district to region, then advancing to the region title match against ultimate champion Ferris.

Still, until catching fire at state NC hadn’t won anything all year.

“We could totally feel it,” Menard said of NC’s two-day blitz through the 16-team field at the Arena. “We didn’t think we could lose.

“We all pulled together when we saw what we could accomplish.”

The state title was the school’s first since 1977 and the first by any Indians girls team.

It would be unfair to expect NC to come close to repeating, given the absence of Wilson and Van Engelen. The former Indians’ thoughts are with the returners, Menard said, judging from correspondences with Van Engelen and a visit to Wilson’s GU dorm.

“They’re excited for us because we have a new coach,” Menard said.

Reid’s extroverted nature contrasts with that of Bushinski, who often counted on assistant Momi Bowles to provide the overt enthusiasm.

Reid said he’s lucky to still have Bowles around as the Indians begin their title defense. He said taking over for Bushinski is akin to Gene Bartow replacing John Wooden as UCLA basketball coach there’s nowhere to go but down.

The transition should be smoother with the help of Menard, whom Reid labels “a quality individual … outstanding student … everything you could ever want.”

Menard also played club volleyball until last year, when she turned her attention to academic commitments.

Last spring, she and Heidi Greenwood - another graduate from the state-title team - played No. 1 doubles in tennis.

Menard’s sister, Jessica, plays volleyball for Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho. Menard also expects to attend a small private college.

NC’s other returning players are seniors Shannon Nelson, Mindy Rosell and Lisa Hammond, and junior Beth White.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: GSL VOLLEYBALL AT A GLANCE Information on GSL volleyball, which begins Tuesday at four sites: Defending league champion: Gonzaga Prep Defending district and region champion: Ferris Defending state champion: North Central (Lewis and Clark second) All-league returners: Jennifer Williams, G-Prep, first team. Players to watch: Missy Blackshire and Janelle Morrisette, Ferris; Erin Naipo and Becki Huddle, LC; Williams and Story Tombari, G-Prep; Jessica Sanborn, Mead; Sarah Menard and Shannon Nelson, NC; Michelle Etter, Shadle; Jaime Christensen, Rogers; and Ginger Clark and Crystal Lee, CV. Clark broke her ankle in a summer automobile accident and needs clearance to play. Openers: Mead at G-Prep; Ferris at Central Valley; Rogers and Shadle Park; NC at University. LC opens Sept. 14 against Mead and Rogers at the Kentwood Tournament. Postseason venues: District at Spokane Falls Community College; region tentatively at Big Nine Conference site; state at the Arena. New coaches: John Reid, NC; Anna Vanderpool, Rogers; Mike Welch (son of LC coach Buzzie Welch), U-Hi; Bernie Hite, CV (one-year interim). Former NC coach Linda Bushinski and ex-CV coach Laurie Henry are assistants at Ferris. Changes: Serving is open to the entire area across the back. Predicted finish: LC, Ferris, Mead, G-Prep, Shadle, NC, Rogers, CV, U-Hi.