Nc Hangs Tough In Opener

Prep volleyball

When the North Central Indians last left the volleyball court, it was as State AAA champions.

NC opened defense of its crown Tuesday, and needed all it could muster to continue the winning ways.

Lisa Hammond had 13 kills, 11 aces and five digs as the visiting Indians topped University 15-5, 15-12, 13-15, 9-15, 15-4 on the inaugural night of the Greater Spokane League season.

Shannon Nelson added 19 assists for NC, which finished fourth in last year’s league race before catching fire.

U-Hi jumped to a 7-0 third-game lead. Jen Madsen led U-Hi with 10 kills and 10 digs.

Elsewhere, Mead assured that last year’s league champ wouldn’t go unbeaten again by notching a 12-15, 15-12, 12-15, 15-8, 15-7 win at Gonzaga Prep.

Jessica Sanborn had 18 kills and four blocks to lead the Panthers. Jen Williams, the GSL’s lone returning all-leaguer, had 21 kills, five digs and four blocks for Prep.

The teams slugged it out the first four games, then Mead jumped ahead 11-1 in the decider.

Ferris, seventh at state last year after winning the district and regional titles, scored a 16-14, 15-1, 13-15, 15-6 win at Central Valley.

CV led the opener 12-8 before the Saxons rallied. Ferris blitzed through the second game, then stumbled in the third and fell behind 4-0 in the fourth.

Missy Blackshire of Ferris had 15 kills and 12 blocks. Crystal Lee had 12 kills, and Sabrina Page and Alix Miller 11 digs apiece for the Bears.

At Shadle Park, Monica Abrahoson had 14 kills and Jamie Christensen 34 digs to lead Rogers to an 18-16, 15-8, 15-12 victory over the Highlanders. Michelle Etter had 17 kills and five blocks for Shadle.

St. Maries, Idaho, volleyball coach Mitch Santos reached another milestone - his 400th career win at the Intermountain League school.

Alicia Adams had nine first-game service points as the visiting Lumberjacks (2-0, 3-2) topped Moscow 15-5, 15-5 in an IML match.

Santos, in his 18th year, has a career mark of 400-39.

Last year’s runner-up finish at the State A-2 tournament was St. Maries’ 15th consecutive title-game appearance. The Lumberjacks have won 11 state titles for Santos..

, DataTimes