Mike Vlahovich

The light-hearted East Valley volleyball team, from left: Tessa Neal, Jenny Kann, Christie Grochowski, Nicole Griffith, Lescia Myers, Rebecca Triplett, Jennifer Tilton, Vicki Welter, Tricia Stookey, Deb Asbury and Kristen Holleran. Jaynee Boisen is missing from the picture because she was taking a test. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

Sarah Schmedding's Pacific Northwest super lightweight kickboxing championship fight was more a stroll in the park than a rumble. The 19-year-old Greenacres resident dispatched Tara Morneau of Vancouver, B.C. in a hurry with a first-round technical knockout during a featured bout at the Rumble in the Park kickboxing exhibition last Saturday at Franklin Park on the North Side.

Katie Carpenter has scored 10 goals in 8 games as a forward for the Bears. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

In the eyes of both football coaches, Friday's game between Central Valley and University is the most important of the season. "It is the biggest game we play all year," said Bears coach Rick Giampietri. "It is the Valley rivalry and keeps one of us in playoff contention."

Their second-leading scorer had been sidelined by injury. They have six new starters and a new coach. But that hasn't slowed Deer Park/ Riverside's girls soccer march through the Frontier League.

GSL cross country After finishing third last year in Greater Spokane League boys cross country with a 6-2 record and winning an invitational meet in Edmonds, the veteran Bullpups are flying high. "I like to think we'll be in the hunt," said Coach Tony Maucione.

Jessica Sanborn serves during a match with Ferris Tuesday night. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review

Frontier League What began like a dream for East Valley's football team became its worst nightmare Friday. Clarkston parlayed six interceptions, a bad punt snap and fumble recovery into a 39-10 victory on a night when the balance of Frontier League power shifted.

Lightning struck University High School's football team twice in as many games. The bolts - in the form of iffy penalties - have left coach Mike Ganey distraught and his Titans winless. Thursday's strike was an illegal formation call that denied U-Hi the tying touchdown against Lewis and Clark during a 14-7 loss.

University High senior James Berry blossomed last spring and is now near the top of the GSL in cross country. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review

AA-A The chant, "two and one" resonated across Central Valley's Sig T. Hansen Field and Lake City High football coach Van Troxel received his obligatory water-bucket shower from his team. The Timberwolves were, indeed, 2-1 following a 26-22 victory over East Valley that didn't begin to explain their dominance.

While football teams from East Valley and West Valley continue preparation for the upcoming Frontier League season, things really get serious this week for the Valley's Greater Spokane League teams. Central Valley plays Gonzaga Prep Friday in the 8:30 p.m. feature game at Albi Stadium. An hour earlier at home University hopes to get its offense untracked in the Titans' GSL debut, against Ferris.

Shadle Park girls cross country warm up before their run Monday at the school. Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review

Northeast-A volleyball Lack of size on Freeman's volleyball team has caused Coach Ken Davis to reassess his team's offensive options. Last year the Scotties tied with Newport for fourth place in the Northeast A League, behind eventual state champion Colfax, state qualifier Deer Park and Lakeside.

Frontier girls cross country Can East Valley's girls cross country team win a third straight State AA championship? "If we're healthy and the girls are on the same page Nov. 9, we might," says coach Nick Lazanis. South Whidby, which finished just four points behind the Knights at last year's meet and returns its top runners, stands in the way.

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.

Boys cross country Greater Spokane League cross country coaches consider their programs to be part of one big happy family. "We couldn't coach against a better group of people, that's the beauty of it," said North Central coach Jon Knight.

Everyone expected Mead to be among Greater Spokane League volleyball contenders. But Rogers? The upstart Pirates who last won more than three games in a season in 1984, had a chance to surpass that figure Wednesday after beating Mead to share first place with favored Ferris. When the two North Side teams squared off Tuesday, both teams were unbeaten, Mead at 3-0 and the Pirates at 2-0.

The East Valley cross country team runs on a prairie road north of the school. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

Youthful exhuberance led to youthful mistakes, but it couldn't hide the potentional on Central Valley's young football team. "We only had four of 22 players where it wasn't their first start," said Bears coach Rick Giampietri of Thursday's 24-14 win over Rogers. "You don't know what's going to happen."

The University High cross country team has a run through the woods in the Dishman Hills Natural Area. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

GSL girls cross country If anyone is going to challenge University's girls for the Greater Spokane League cross country championship, it will be on the strength of newcomers. U-Hi has five of the league's top 12 returning regional placers in its lineup from a team which placed fourth in state.

Ty Gregorak, in front at right, carries his 245 pounds with surprising nimbleness. His speed and aggressiveness make him one of WV's hottest-ever college prospects. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

The East Valley soccer team takes to the practice field. Last year, the Knights tied for first place in the Frontier League. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review