Sandpoint Nears Title With Win Over Post Falls

The Sandpoint High volleyball team’s serving wasn’t tenacious, but it was more than adequate as the Bulldogs inched closer to a league title Tuesday.

Perhaps more than anything, Sandpoint’s serving isolated Post Falls’ ace hitter, Janelle Ruen, in the back row during critical stretches as the Bulldogs topped the Trojans 15-11, 15-10 in an Inland Empire League match at Bulldog Gym.

Sandpoint (15-2 overall, 5-0 in league) moved within a win of clinching the league championship and host status throughout the regional tournament. Sandpoint needs one win in its final three league matches for the title.

It was Sandpoint’s second win over Post Falls (12-6, 4-2) in five days. The Bulldogs held off a Trojans rally at Post Falls on Thursday, 15-6, 12-15, 15-13.

Post Falls coach Karla Merrill continues to contend her team can defeat Sandpoint. But victory must start with serve-receive, she said.

“We made some critical mistakes that were simple plays,” Merrill said. “And we’ve got to get the ball to Janelle (Ruen).”

Ruen had five kills, five below her average. And the kills were spread out, too.

Sandpoint received multiple contributions, and providing most of the solid play were underclassmen.

Sophomore setter Jessica Lippi handled the ball well, putting freshman Rochelle Ruen in position for a team-high 10 kills. Lippi’s sophomore cousin, Megan, had six, as did junior Jennifer Jeffres.

Sandpoint connected on nearly 90 percent of its serves (47 of 53). Megan Lippi, freshman Keely Kinzer and junior Brianna Staglund combined on 29 of 29 serves (Lippi led with 12 of 12 and two aces).

Post Falls accomplished one goal, not allowing Sandpoint to get out to a fast start as it did Thursday. The Trojans scored the first three points of the match Tuesday, but a 7-0 spurt gave the Bulldogs the lead for good in the opening game.

Two aces from junior Jill Verby and two Post Falls errors allowed Sandpoint to widen its lead to 10-4. The Trojans rallied to cut the lead to 11-10, but another error stopped Post Falls’ comeback.

Sandpoint opened a lead in the second game and was never seriously threatened. At 12-10, the Bulldogs scored the final three points to end the match in 50 minutes.

Bulldogs coach Jeff Hurst was unavailable for comment.

Sandpoint can wrap up the league title Tuesday when it plays host to Lake City in the Bulldogs’ final regular-season home match.

, DataTimes