Intermountain League Volleyball
In predicted order of finish:
St. Maries Lumberjacks
1995 record: 9-1 IML champ, 25-6 state runner-up
Coach: Mitch Santos
Years coaching: 18
Top returners: Jamie Hammes, 5-9, sophomore, oh; Bridget O’Dwyer, 5-10, junior, middle blocker; Alicia Adams, 5-5, jr., setter; Kim Reid, 5-6, jr., oh; Amy Reid, 5-3, jr., back-row specialist; Brooke Wolfe, 5-6, sr., mb.
Top newcomers: Kari Burg, 5-9, sr., oh; Sarah Lockard, 5-5, soph., back row.
Quick sets: Santos, in his 18th season, is three victories away from the 400 milestone. Going into the season, most would have thought Santos would have picked up win No. 400 tonight against Priest River. But the Lumberjacks opened with losses to Lake City and Coeur d’Alene on Tuesday. Adams (sprained ankle) is questionable.
Coach’s comment: “We’ll be better than last year. But I see every (IML) team being able to beat anyone. We’re a year older, but we’ll have to keep our errors down. I don’t expect flawless ball.”
Outlook: St. Maries has reached the state championship finals 15 straight year, and that streak should continue. Ball control will be a key as St. Maries fields a short team. Burg, a starter as a freshman, returns after a two-year layoff with a foot injury.
Priest River Spartans
1995 record: 5-5, 15-10
Coach: Carie Shugart
Years coaching: 4
Top returners: Jacey Vogrig, 6-0, jr., mb; Katie Peterson, 5-4, sr., setter; Christy Coyle, 6-0, sr., mb; Krissi Ruiz, 5-10, soph., oh; Candice Carpenter, 5-10, jr., oh; Kyla Erdman, 5-7, jr., oh; Jennifer Reed, 5-7, jr., setter.
Top newcomers: Adena Mohr, 6-0, soph., mb/oh; JoAnne Vogrig, 5-10, soph., oh.
Quick sets: After St. Maries’ season-opening losses, the Spartans probably can’t wait to meet the Lumberjacks in their league opener tonight. Priest River will field the tallest team in the league, a fact that could give St. Maries, probably the shortest team, problems.
Coach’s comment: “By the end of the season, if not earlier, we’ll be better than last year. We have the talent to get to state. Our goals are nothing less than that.”
Outlook: Priest River won just one match in Shugart’s first two seasons. But the turnaround began last year when the Spartans vaulted from last to second. If any team can snap St. Maries’ stranglehold on league titles (16 straight), it’s the Spartans.
Kellogg Wildcats
1995 record: 4-6, 7-13
Coach: Laurie Roberts
Years coaching: 1st
Top returners: Casidy Beamis, 5-4, sr., setter; Melissa Hei, 5-8, sr., oh; Janelle Baillie, 5-10, sr., mb; Amy Lemon, 5-6, sr., oh; Joey Luchini, 5-10, sr., mb; Casey Magnus, 5-6, jr., back row; Marcy Swift, 5-6, sr., oh/ setter.
Top newcomers: Amber Goodson, 5-7, soph., oh/back row; Brianne Grebil, 5-9, jr., mb.
Quick sets: All starters return as the Wildcats graduated just one player.
Coach’s comment: “I wouldn’t say we have a standout, but we’re deep. I feel comfortable playing any of the 12 girls. I don’t think there’s going to be a weak team in the league.”
Outlook: Roberts takes over for Lisa Holzer, but the new head coach isn’t new to the program. She assisted Holzer for four years. The transition should be smooth. The Wildcats will challenge for one of the league’s two state berths.
Bonners Ferry Badgers
1995 record: 4-6, 11-15
Coach: Janis Tucker
Years coaching: 14
Top returners: Rachel Downing, 5-7, sr., oh; Amber Paulson, 5-10, jr., mb; Sarah Walter, 5-1, jr., setter; Tammy Blanford, 5-6, sr., oh; Becky Bateman, 5-7, sr., setter.
Top newcomers: Rosie Decker, 5-8, sr., mb; Kara Braniff, 6-0, jr., oh.
Quick sets: Four starters return. Tucker’s roster includes six seniors and four juniors. “We have some continuity,” she said.
Coach’s comment: “This is probably the scrappiest team I’ve ever had. I’ve had some teams with good hitters, good arms, but I don’t know if they could pick up the ball like this team. If we can keep the ball up I think teams are going to be surprised.”
Outlook: If the Badgers develop consistent hitting watch out. Defense, though, should be enough to keep opponents off-balance and stop streaks of momentum.
Moscow Bears
1995 record: 4-6, 7-12
Coach: Amy Thompson
Years coaching: 2
Top returners: Andrea Thomas, 5-5, jr., setter; Angie Gibson, 5-11, sr., mb; Danna Wilder, 5-10, sr., oh; Erin Makus, 6-0, sr., mb.
Top newcomers: Kara Swank, 5-7, jr., oh; Marisa Swank, 5-2, sr., back row; Emily Shupe, 5-8, sr., oh; Sarah Wagner, 5-9, sr., oh.
Quick sets: The Bears may be forecasted to finish low, but they have potential to finish higher. Consider last season when one game separated second-place Priest River and four teams that tied for third.
Coach’s comment: “Most teams have a fair share of returners. Our plan is to advance to district and state.”
Outlook: Most of the Bears played in the off-season, and Thompson has already seen a difference in preseason practices. A go-to player or two must emerge for the Bears to seriously contend for a state berth.
Lakeland Hawks
1995 record: 4-6, 12-14
Coach: Claudia Collins
Years coaching: 17
Top returners: Amber Jamison, 5-10, sr., oh; Cassie Beyer, 5-6, soph., setter.
Top newcomers: Jaci Van Assen, 5-6, jr., oh; Melissa Adams, 5-7, soph., oh.
Quick sets: Young is the buzzword. The Hawks will carry four sophomores.
Coach’s comment: “We’re so inexperienced at this point, it might be a game-to-game decision on who plays. I’m really just getting to know the kids. Any of the 12 players could start right now.”
Outlook: The Hawks may finish last in league, but they’re bound to be a different team by district.
xxxx PLAYERS TO WATCH 1. Kari Burg, 5-foot-9, senior, outside hitter, St. Maries 2. Amber Jamison, 5-10, senior, outside hitter, Lakeland 3. Jamie Hammes, 5-9, sophomore, outside hitter, St. Maries 4. Jacey Vogrig, 6-0, junior, middle blocker, Priest River 5. Melissa Hei, 5-8, senior, outside hitter, Kellogg 6. Alicia Adams, 5-5, junior, setter, St. Maries 7. Andrea Thomas, 5-5, junior, setter, Moscow