Nic Coach Still Upbeat After Season Starts Slowly

North Idaho College volleyball opened the season with a 1-9 record at the Utah Valley State College Invitational last weekend.

Rough start, right?

Despite the record, NIC left feeling positive, according to second-year coach Carly Curtis, who was 19-24 last year.

“There were a lot of mistakes, but we’re playing really well,” said Killen, whose team takes on an NIC alumni squad Saturday at 6 p.m. in Christianson Gym. “They improved every game and, besides, preseason isn’t about going out and kicking everyone’s butt.”

Because of “poor grades and broken rules,” Curtis lost all but two of her players on the Cardinals’ lineup from last year, leaving NIC’s team with mostly freshmen.

“This year, I have a lot of good kids who I have confidence in,” said Curtis. “We’re starting off slow, but as soon as we get through the basic freshmen mistakes, we’re really going to peak.”

Starters are freshmen Melissa Nardinger, 5-foot-8, setter; Casey Welch, 6-1, outside hitter; Allison Gargus, 5-10, OH; Lakeland graduate Amber Jamison, 5-10, middle hitter; and returning sophomores Brooke Fuller, 5-9, OH; and Jen Clark, 6-0, MH.

NIC hosts Yakima on Thursday.

“They’ll be very aggressive, defensive and offensive,” said Curtis, who believes her team has improved in its technique and knowledge of the game. “We’re playing very well as a team rather than individuals and they all have the same drive.”

Amber Paulson had eight kills and Sara Carey 10 digs as Bonners Ferry opened the Intermountain League season with a 15-13, 15-5 win over visiting Kellogg.

Sara Walter added nine assists for the Badgers.

St. Maries opened its IML schedule with a 15-9, 15-6 win at Priest River. No details were reported.

Lindsay Carrico had six kills, and Jessica Krulitz and Shiela Karst added four apiece, as Wallace (2-0) topped visiting Clark Fork 16-14, 7-15, 15-13 in a non-leaguer.

Wallace’s Stephanie Lavigne had 19 assists.

, DataTimes