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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Players And Coaches Look Forward To New Volleyball Season

A year ago, Deer Park qualified for the state volleyball tournament out of the Northeast A League and Lakeside enjoyed its finest season.

Riverside, meanwhile, struggled through its first season in the Frontier League. The Stags have a new coach and new look this year, but will attempt to remain among the league’s better teams. After finishing third last season, the Eagles are hoping to fly higher. And the Rams are aiming to climb out of the Frontier cellar.

Multi-faceted coach at Deer Park

By his own admission, new volleyball coach Seth McMullen is running a “four-ring circus” at Deer Park.

He is the school’s music and drama teacher, instructing two band classes, two choral classes and a drama class before taking to the volleyball court.

Five seniors have graduated, including dominating hitter Leah Wiiest.

Returned are middle hitter Julie Borchers, setter Tami Michaels, plus varsity veterans Kara Palmer, Heather Sims and junior Becca Magart.

Newcomers include sophomores Gina Bendowsky, Amanda Oswalt, Jenilee Williams and senior Sarah Tedrow.

“We have a great mix of leadership from the seniors and some sophomores that are just dynamite,” McMullen said.

Eagle success no surprise

Lakeside coach Angela Newcomb wasn’t surprised by last year’s 9-7 league season. “I knew we had potential, it has just been the whole idea of believing they can play with others in league.”

Now that the issue is settled, the next step is challenging Colfax and probably Newport for state. Lakeside has seven returning players and three new ones on the roster.

Included is Nikki Petticrew who was named all-league last year as a freshman.

Seniors letter winners are Sara Schumacher and Carrie Waddell outside, Jessica Hatch in the middle and Raelena Bowell, a right side hitter.

Junior Amber Sandman replaces her sister Christy as setter and Linsay Heebink is an outside hitter.

Newcomers are senior Amber Reardon, junior Brianne Jolley, a first year player, in the middle and sophomore Sonia Leach outside.

“Our goal is to go beyond last year,” said Newcomb. “As long as we play together with respect and passion for the sport, we have a chance to fly higher.”

Riverside puts last year behind

After finishing last during its inaugural Frontier League season, Riverside is ready to move ahead.

“I’ve been talking to them every year since I’ve been here about building for the future,” said coach Tamra Davisson. “Finally we’re hopefully out of the bottom of the pack.”

She bases her assessment on the number of seniors in the lineup, better team chemistry and more spirited competition.

Returning seniors are Colleen Henson, a right side defender, Cheryl Tallant, a middle-outside hitter, team captain Meredith Thompson in the middle and Kelli Riddle outside.

Also back is junior setter Lacey Darby.

New to the lineup is senior setter Martina Schluter, back after a two-year absence, defensive specialist Jolene Strong, first-year player Tiffany McMurphy, a 6-footer who ran cross country previously, and Melanie Wyman who moved here from Canada.

“Tiffany switched because of friends. Now her goal is to play community college volleyball,” said Davisson. “Wyman played for a two-time provincial champion.”

Rounding out the team are junior outside hitter Brianna Mueller and sophomores Jamie Shackleford and Rachel Sams.

“Attitude is the difference this year,” said Davisson. “This year the players are really united and willing to work hard.”

, DataTimes