IML volleyball
In predicted order of league finish:
St. Maries Lumberjacks
2004 records: 26-6 overall, 8-0 (league champ)
Coach: Jamie (Hammes) Loper
Years coaching: 2nd
Starters, lettermen returning: 5, 7
Key players: Jenna Robinson, senior, 5-foot-6, outside hitter; Erin Sather, sr., 5-8, setter; Kelsi Lee, sr., 5-10, middle hitter; Shawna Heath, sophomore, 5-10, oh; Kim Sather, soph., 5-8, right-side hitter.
Coach’s comments: “The biggest thing I like is their attitudes. They make it fun to go to practice. They’ve set their goals high this year and they’ve asked me to push them.”
Outlook: Loper wants to get St. Maries back to a familiar level – as state champion. After dominating for a 10-year stretch, the Lumberjacks have been in a state drought the past 10 years. This may be the year they return to the top of the state heap.
Timberlake Tigers
2004 records: 22-8, 6-2
Coach: Michelle Garwood
Years coaching: 8th
Starters, lettermen returning: 5, 7
Key players: Corina Beyer, sr., 5-10, s/oh; Lindsie Powers, sr., 5-7, mh; Nichole Corn, sr., 5-6, oh; Tarra Tymesen, jr., 5-10, mh; Holli Edelblute, jr., 5-6, oh.
Coach’s comments: “We’re not at full strength right now, so we’ve been toying with some different things. We’ll be contenders when we get back to full strength.”
Outlook: For a second straight year, the league and district battles will be a familiar tug of war between the Tigers and Lumberjacks. Beyer, who gave an oral commitment to Washington State last spring, is the top player in the league and will be counted on heavily to raise the level of her teammates.
Bonners Ferry Badgers
2004 records: 4-16, 2-6
Coach: Janis Tucker
Years coaching: 23rd
Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 6
Key players: Becky Lowther, jr., 5-8, oh; Katie Poston, jr., 5-9, oh; Tyga White, sr., 5-8, mh; Jennifer Youngwirth, sr., 5-7, s; Shantel Schirado, sr., 5-6, oh.
Coach’s comments: “I like where we’re starting. We’re way ahead than where we were at the end last year.”
Outlook: Any other year, the Badgers could make their state reservations now. But it’s going to be difficult for Bonners Ferry to knock off the favorites. If any coach can rally her team to overachieve, though, it’s Tucker.
Priest River Spartans
2004 records: 8-9, 3-5
Coach: Ken Skacel
Years coaching: 2nd
Starters, lettermen returning: 2, 6
Key players: Amanda Corning, sr., 5-8, oh; Lacy Hopkins, soph., 5-9, s.
Coach’s comments: “They can run and jump, but they’re not very skilled in volleyball, unfortunately. Our problem right now is we have no ball control.”
Outlook: The Spartans feature basketball players and four key athletes off Priest River’s state championship track team. But as far as volleyball skills go, the Spartans are raw. Athletic ability can only take a team so far.
Kellogg Wildcats
2004 records: 5-17, 1-7
Coach: Dick Schreiber
Years coaching: 16th, 3rd at Kellogg
Starters, lettermen returning: 1, 5
Key players: Amanda Olson, jr., 5-9, mh; Marisa Bush, soph., 5-9, mh; Stephanie Squires, soph., 5-2, s.
Coach’s comments: “Even though they’re younger girls they’ve worked hard in the off-season. We’re starting to play real aggressive ball.”
Outlook: The Wildcats lack the experience to tangle with the league’s heavyweights. But Kellogg will make measurable strides by season’s end.