Preston Defends A-2 Title

Senior middle blocker Dana Olson made the most of her turn to serve for Preston in the State A-2 volleyball tournament.

Playing their third consecutive match, the Indians were out of substitutions for the 5-foot-10 Olson late in the if-necessary championship match with rival St. Maries.

Guarding an 11-8 lead in the decisive third game, Olson proceeded to drill three ace serves which extended Preston’s cushion to four points, but more importantly set up match point.

Lumberjacks sophomore Bridgette O’Dweyer answered with an ace just inside the out-of-bounds line, but Rose Jensen killed for the Preston sideout.

And Preston successfully defended its state title after junior Kaycee Paskins’ kill sealed the 7-15, 15-3, 15-8 victory over the Lumberjacks.

The Indians (34-14) forced the ifnecessary championship match with previously unbeaten St. Maries with a 15-13, 15-6 win earlier Saturday night at Lake City High School.

The Lumberjacks reached the final early in the afternoon with a 15-9, 13-15, 15-13 decision over Preston.

The Indians earned the rematch with St. Maries (25-6) via a 15-4, 16-14 victory over consolation bracket winner Emmett.

“They were good serves,” Lumberjacks coach Mitch Santos said of Olson.

Preston coach Launa Moser agreed. “Dana serves really well. She’s played back row most the year. She’s a very consistent server.”

Preston setter Kristy Mather threw St. Maries for a loop.

Instead of setting the ball, the crafty senior opted to tip the ball behind her back over the net for an array of kills in the finals.

The playmaking of Mather, along with Paskins, Dana Olson and reserve Peggy Olson at the net, kept the Lumberjacks off balance.

“She’s very smart,” Moser said of Mather. “She did a great job for us tonight; my whole team did. They attacked. They went after the holes. They read people’s hits. Our defense was all over.”

The Lumberjacks zoomed out to a 9-0 lead in the first game of the if-necessary match, with O’Dwyer pounding six kills.

The quick lead reversed its order in the second game, as Preston led 8-0.

And St. Maries led only briefly in the third game. A quick block by Wendy Tueller pushed Preston in front for good at 5-4, and another Tueller kill made it 9-4.

But three points would be as close as the Lumberjacks would get.

“The tournament itself wore a little bit on our kids.

“We pulled ourselves out of a lot of tight spots,” Santos said. “The kids played hard.”

In the first match, St. Maries trailed 5-1 in the opening game before rallying behind the serving of senior Angie Epler. Epler’s ace drew the Lumberjacks even at 5-5. O’Dwyer’s kill broke the tie.

The Lumberjacks stretched the advantage to 12-7, but the Indians gave up just one more point.

Preston jumped to a 7-0 lead in the second game and St. Maries never recovered.

The win was Preston’s fourth in the school’s history. St. Maries had won 11 out of 14 state championship. “I’m a positive person,” Santos said. “I thought we would have a shot at being here.”

Semifinal

A crosscourt kill by junior outside hitter Jamie Hammes registered match-point for the Lumberjacks.

The combination of Hammes on the outside, along with net players Amanda Tams and O’Dwyer, powered St. Maries into its 14th consecutive state final.

Hammes finished with seven kills. Tams added 18 kills and 10 blocks. O’Dwyer, who subs into the front row, contributed 11 kills and six blocks.

St. Maries went on an 8-0 run on its last sideout of the first game, including two service aces by Kim Reid.

The teams played even in game two. An ace by senior Tonya Jepsen gave Preston the lead for good at 12-11. Five rotations later, the Indians got game- point off a Miriam Carter kill.

St. Maries threatened to run away with the third game, building a 12- 2 lead.

But Preston chipped away at the deficit, and Jensen actually served to tie the game at 14-all after a hitting error on Tams. Tams, however, ended the ensuing rally with a block.

Loser out

Emmett and Snake River swept past Saturday morning opponents in two games each.

Emmett eliminated Shelley 15-10, 15-10. Snake River ousted Weiser 15-7, 15-6.

Fourth place

Emmett outlasted Snake River 16- 14, 10-15, 16-14.

Junior Lizzie Stoeger’s ace capped a long third game, as the Huskies avenged a first-round loss to the Panthers (26-15).

Third place

Emmett (21-6) made good its first-ever trip to the state tournament, as the Huskies placed third.

Preston used a 15-4, 16-14 victory over Emmett to advance into the championship match.

“”We just got tired,” Huskies coach Karen Alsager said. “”I think it was a big effort to get enough energy to play Preston. You’ve got to be fresh to play Preston.”

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: A-2 championships Results for the State A-2 Volleyball Tournament at Lake City High School: Saturday’s A-2 results Consolation matches Emmett d. Shelley 15-10, 15-10 Snake River d. Weiser 15-7, 15-6 Emmett d. Snake River 16-14, 10-15, 16-14 (loser places fourth) Championship semifinal St. Maries d. Preston 15-9, 13-15, 15-13 Third-place match Preston d. Emmett 15-4, 16-14 (loser places third) Championship match Preston d. St. Maries 15-13, 15-16 Preston d. St. Maries 7-15, 15-3, 15-8 (if necessary)