Intermountain League Volleyball

In predicted order of finish

St. Maries Lumberjacks

1996 record: 10-0 (IML champ), 21-7 overall

Coach: Mitch Santos

Years coaching: 19th

Top returners: Bridgette O’Dwyer, senior, 5-11, middle hitter; Kim Reid, sr., 5-6, outside hitter; Alicia Adams, sr., 5-5, setter; Amy Reid, sr., 5-3, defensive specialist; Jamie Hammes, jr., 5-10, oh; Lindsey Harpole, sophomore, 5-7, right-side hitter; Tiffany Holdahl, soph., 5-5, oh.

Newcomer: Ariene Wilcott, freshman, 5-10, mh.

Quick sets: Santos has had some outstanding freshmen step up and contribute immediately, but Wilcott is the first rookie middle hitter expected to make a big impact.

Coach’s comments: “We have the potential to be better than last year. We still need to work on our passing because it’s 80 percent of the game.”

Outlook: Santos checks in early with the first entry for understatement of the year. The Lumberjacks won’t be overpowering at the net like past teams, but they’ll make up for it with precision ball control. Santos will be satisfied with the highest level at which his team can play. That means he’ll be satisfied at season’s end.

Moscow Bears

1996 record: 5-5, 13-13

Coach: Amy Thompson

Years coaching: 3rd

Top returners: Kara Swank, sr., 5-8, oh; Andrea Thomas, sr., 5-6, s; Courtney Goetz, soph., 6-1, mh; Kasey Kinziger, sr., 5-4, ds.

Newcomers: Nicole Rossetto, jr., 5-5, ds; Shai Workman, sr., 5-8, oh; Trinity Blyth, sr., 5-9, mh; Laurie Gregg, soph., 5-7, rh.

Quick sets: In terms of pure athletes, Thompson’s are second to none in the league. Moscow moves to A-1 next year.

Coach’s comments: “They have bonded really well; I like the team chemistry. I see us growing a lot through the year, but I like where we are now.”

Outlook: The Bears are one of two teams that could challenge St. Maries. Moscow wants nothing less than a state berth. It’s a realistic goal.

Priest River Spartans

1996 record: 3-7, 8-13

Coach: Carie Shugert

Years coaching: 5th

Top returners: Candace Carpenter, sr., 5-11, oh; Jennifer Reed, sr., 5-8, s; Jacey Vogrig, sr., 6-1, rh; JoAnne Vogrig, jr., 5-11, mh; Adena Mohr, jr., 6-0, mh; Melanie Duley, jr., 5-8, oh; Amy Leen, jr., 5-6, s/ds.

Newcomer: Billie Washburn, jr., 5-10, oh.

Quick sets: Spartans suffered a key loss when junior Krissi Ruiz (outside hitter) transferred to Coeur d’Alene.

Coach’s comments: “All the strengths of a good volleyball team are present. We were incredibly inconsistent last year. Our level of play will be very competitive in the league.”

Outlook: Perhaps it was a stretch last year to pick Priest River as high as second. Even with the loss of Ruiz the Spartans could challenge for second. It should come down to Moscow and Priest River battling for second state berth.

Lakeland Hawks

1996 record: 2-8, 8-15

Coach: Claudia Collins

Years coaching: 18th

Top returners: Becky Hardy, jr., 5-7, oh; Cassie Beyer, jr., 5-7, s; Lacie Berger, jr., 5-8, oh; Anna Houchin, sr., 5-9. mh; Melissa Adams, jr., 5-8, oh.

Newcomers: Megan Egbert, soph., 5-10, mh; Angie Campbell, soph., 5-6, ds; Kerinsa Jennings, soph., 5-6, ds.

Quick sets: Collins married since last season, tying the knot with the father of a former player, John Ebel.

Coach’s comments: “I’m impressed with where we’re at. We’re hitting the ball well for this time of the year. And we’re improved defensively.”

Outlook: Call the Hawks dark horses. If the teams above struggle, Lakeland will be waiting in the wings. Overall the Hawks are young. The school splits next year when Timberlake in Spirit Lake opens.

Kellogg Wildcats

1996 record: 7-3, 18-8

Coach: Laurie Roberts

Years coaching: 2nd

Top returners: Casey Magnus, sr., oh; Brianne Grebil, sr., 5-10, mh; Jody Hunt, sr., 5-6, oh; Casey Rainio, sr., 5-3, s; Amber Goodson, jr., 5-7, mh.

Newcomers: Cara Burkgart, soph., 5-3, s; Erica Schreiber, jr., 5-6, rh; Stephanie Baillie, jr., 5-9, rh.

Quick sets: Wallace coach Dick Schreiber’s daughter, Erica, decided to stay with her friends at Kellogg rather than join her dad.

Coach’s comments: “We just need experience. We’re blending a lot of new faces. But we can do as well as last year.”

Outlook: This is a tough pick, especially considering the Wildcats are coming off one of the best years in recent history. IML teams shouldn’t overlook the Wildcats.

Bonners Ferry Badgers

1996 record: 3-7, 5-17

Coach: Janis Tucker

Years coaching: 15th

Top returners: Amber Paulson, sr., 5-11, mh; Sarah Walter, sr., 5-2, s; Sarah Stolley, sr., 5-6, oh; Kara Braniff, sr., 6-0, mh.

Newcomers: Kendra Mass, soph., 5-8, oh; Dana Robertson, jr., 5-6, s; Katie Diel, sr., 5-7, oh.

Quick sets: The Badgers didn’t have to be introduced to each other. The nucleus of the team plays other sports together.

Coach’s comments: “They have an attitude that carries over from basketball. Potentially they could do very well. Kids that get along with each other play better.”

Outlook: Bonners Ferry is a dangerous pick here. If the league is truly deep, the Badgers could give some upper-division teams problems. But they may not have enough firepower.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: PLAYERS TO WATCH Bridgette O’Dwyer, senior, 5-foot-11, middle hitter, St. Maries Cassie Beyer, junior, 5-7, setter, Lakeland Amber Paulson, senior, 5-11, middle hitter, Bonners Ferry Jamie Hammes, junior, 5-10, outside hitter, St. Maries Jacey Vogrig, senior, 6-1, right-side hitter, Priest River Alicia Adams, senior, 5-5, setter, St. Maries Andrea Thomas, senior, 5-6, setter, Moscow