A year ago today, it would have been difficult to believe that 1994 would have been as eventful as it turned out.

To borrow a phrase from fictional special agent Maxwell Smart, “would you believe” that:

St. Maries High School walked off the volleyball court at state a runner-up?

The University of Idaho opted to join the Big West?

Idaho lost a football game to Boise State?

More than 3,200 football fans watched two Coeur d’Alene schools kick off a rivalry?

Post Falls was the best football team in the area?

Sandpoint so thoroughly dominated the three-day state wrestling tournament that it clinched the championship after the second day?

It was an unbelievable year. Here are the top stories to prove it:

1. ‘Jacks spiked; Bulldogs crowned

A powerhouse fell and a former power resurfaced at the state volleyball tournaments in October.

Preston ended St. Maries’ decade of dominance (10 straight titles) by defeating the Lumberjacks twice (15-5, 6-15, 15-9 and 15-6, 15-7).

“They were a better team than we were,” St. Maries coach Mitch Santos said. “There’s no shame in what our girls accomplished.”

Sandpoint battled back through the loser’s bracket to defeat Hillcrest twice (7-15, 15-12, 15-12 and 15-13, 11-15, 15-7). Sandpoint, which finished runner-up at state the previous two years, won five straight titles from 1982-86.

2. UI joins Big West

It lasted just a wee bit longer than “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father,” but Idaho and the Big West Conference were united earlier this month, ending roughly a year of debate and waffling.

The Vandals, Big Sky members since 1963, will join the Big West in 1996.

UI cited several reasons for heading West: needing to stay on a level playing field with Boise State, financial necessity, academic prestige and Big Sky instability.

3. Bitter end for Vandals

Idaho football stormed to a school-record 7-0 start then sputtered home 9-3. The Vandals were, again, an offensive powerhouse, but the defense had a hand in UI’s 13th straight winning season.

The Vandals lost to the three best teams on their schedule - Montana, Boise State (egads!) and McNeese State in a playoff opener.

UI’s Sherriden May was named first-team All-American.

4. Second CdA school opens

The long-awaited opening of Lake City High, the second A-1 school in Coeur d’Alene, occurred in September.

School officials hailed the opening of LC as increasing athletic and academic opportunities for students. Rivals welcomed the split since CdA had long been an Inland Empire League power.

5. Hoop dynasties continue

The Coeur d’Alene and Moscow girls basketball teams capped storybook seasons with state championships in February.

CdA finished 25-0 and captured its third State A-1 title in four years by defeating Highland 59-44 in the title game at Viking Gym.

Led by Stanford-bound Heather Owen, Moscow secured a three-peat by bouncing Bonners Ferry 51-39 at Moscow.

6. Vandals ride spike success

Idaho won its third straight Big Sky Conference Tournament volleyball title in November. The Vandals finished a schoolrecord 31-3 after losing to Hawaii in second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Outside hitter Mindy Rice became the Big Sky’s first all-American. She made second team.

7. PF football rides Pope’s arm

Behind the leadership of senior quarterback Darick Pope, Post Falls advanced to the State A-1 Division II semifinals.

The Trojans’ best season in two decades ended against Burley, 28-25. Post Falls’ 9-2 record included victories over rival Coeur d’Alene (27-13 and 17-0), Lakeland (18-14) and Rogers of Spokane (17-14).

8. Lewiston’s Church dies

North Idaho lost one of its favorite sons with the death of longtime Lewiston High and Lewis-Clark American Legion baseball coach Dwight Church this summer.

Church, 69, had announced in late May that his 38th season as L-C coach would be his last. Eleven days later he was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and died shortly thereafter. His high school and Legion teams won nearly 2,500 games.

Under Church, L-C won 23 state Legion titles and was runner-up six times.

9. Locals make their marks

On her second attempt in as many summers, Lakeland High grad Tracy Hanson earned her tour card and is set to play in 22 LPGA events.

Ex-Vandal Dan O’Brien won another world decathlon title, falling shy of the world record.

Former Coeur d’Alene High and Idaho quarterback John Friesz started a few games before the Washington Redskins went to an anticipated youth movement.

Another former UI quarterback, Doug Nussmeier, was drafted by New Orleans, joining Vandals Marvin Washington (New York Jets), Mark Schlereth (Redskins) and Jeff Robinson (Denver) in the pros. Moscow High’s Doug Riesenberg continued to anchor the New York Giants’ line while Post Falls’ Joe Tofflemire played just one down for Seattle because of injuries.

10. Bulldogs crush mat foes

Sandpoint breezed to the State A-1 wrestling championship, topping runner-up Capital by 63 points.

Five Sandpoint wrestlers claimed individual championships and five others earned medals.

It was the first state title for a Sandpoint boys team in any sport.