Wv Shares Early Lead With Wins Over Cheney

Until last week, West Valley had not won a dual volleyball match.

“We won the Priest River tournament and did well at Freeman,” said Eagles coach Carol Preston. “But as far as an actual match win, Lewiston on Saturday was our first.”

The carryover three days later proved stunning when the Eagles upset Cheney in four games to share the early Frontier League lead with East Valley.

During non-league matches Cheney had gone 5-0, beating four schools that had defeated WV. The Blackhawks won 15-13 in game one against the Eagles on Tuesday.

Then came an incredible turnaround with West Valley winning by scores of 15-7, 15-4, 15-8.

“We finally got untracked defensively,” said Preston. “I felt after the first game we just frustrated them. Our blockers shut them down. The back row defense was better than I’ve seen since I’ve been coaching.”

Chantelle Frost was huge at middle, getting 17 kills and eight blocks.

“They did not know what to do to get around her,” said Preston.

The defense was superb, led by setter Rachelle Watson whose coverage against chip shots allowed WV to respond. New players to the back row also came up big.

“It gave me goose bumps,” said Preston.

Heather Huffman, who never played volleyball until this year, had six blocks while subbing for injured Lindsay Closs.

Closs, who broke her thumb early in the year, is expected back next week when West Valley plays at East Valley next Thursday to complete the first round of Frontier League matches.

The timing, it appears, is perfect.

“Thank God for the long pre-season,” said Preston. “We finally broke through.”

, DataTimes