Combining Leagues Makes Season Planning Tough

Volleyball

Because the hybrid Great Northern League includes a mix of schools from the old Northeast A and Frontier AA leagues, volleyball coaches have taken a blind approach to this season.

“Planning for all the new teams is really tough,” said Deer Park coach Seth McMullen.

But it also gives remaining NEA teams cause for hope.

Perennial power Colfax and playoff team Freeman are gone. In their place are Colville and Pullman, teams who admittedly had their successes in the Frontier League.

Still, remaining NEA coaches like the tradeoff. At a jamboree in Colville, Lakeside led 12-7 in a 9 p.m. game before losing.

“We were dog-tired and hit the wall,” said coach Angela Newcomb. “But it was encouraging to know we can play with them, whereas Colfax was an intimidating thing.”

Riverside, which had little success during its two-year Frontier stay, returns and coach Tamara Davisson also likes the move.

“We couldn’t compete with schools with enrollments around 1,000,” she said. “I think we’ll be a lot more competitive this year.”

Last year’s Northeast A League fourth-place finisher Deer Park got its first look at the newcomers when it opened the season with losses to Colville and Pullman.

Riverside tests itself against an old rival, last year’s fifth-place Lakeside, tonight after losing its opener to Chewelah last week.

Deer Park seeks upward move

Eight players return in his second year as coach and McMullen is banking on improvement.

“We have some old faces and new faces,” he said. It’s a good mix.”

He said he’s expecting a lot from senior setter Becca Maggart, juniors Amanda Oswalt, Jenilee Williams and Gina Bendowsky.

Others back are seniors Lindsay Stafford, Audrey Stillman, juniors Angel Ebel and Heidi Sims.

Newcomers include juniors Erica Martin, Amber Hiler, and sophomores Kacy Kinder and Brianna Hill.

“What a difference a year makes,” said McMullen. “I feel the girls know me a lot better than they did. We have grown a lot together and will continue to grow this year.”

Lakeside girls just want to have fun

Last year, said Newcomb, Lakeside succeeded early on talent alone. As other teams caught up, they struggled.

“This year I want them to have a good time, play hard and not get frustrated,” she said.

Five players return, including standout junior Nikki Petticrew, fourth-year varsity player Linsey Heebink, middle blocker Brianne Jolley, setter Amber Sandman and junior Sonia Leach.

Additionally, Brooke Hamilton is back following a year away and senior transfer Tianna Naccarato will add to the program.

Newcomers are sophomores Megan Broughton, Bridget Ryan and freshman swing player Tara Thain.

“We’re building a dream,” said Newcomb, whose team won its opener against Medical Lake. “Our attitude is that it’s a new season, pretty much a new team and new league. We’ll have a good time.”

Riverside seeks improvement

Fourth-year coach Davisson keeps striving for a break-through season.

“I thought for three years in a row it would be the turning point year and it wasn’t,” she said. “I was really frustrated.”

This year’s team has only three seniors and lacks size. Davisson is hoping to compensate with attitude.

“The girls are really positive and supportive of each other,” she said.

Seniors Brianna Mueller, setter Lacey Darby, juniors Rachel Sams and Jennifer Wolfe are back.

Newcomers are senior Catee Truitt, juniors Natalie Schweitzer, Sarah Lebahn, Tamara Harter, Jackie Hattenberg, Aleshia Ogelsbee, Jennifer Wilson, sophomores Katie Christman and Sarah Johnson.

“Even though we are young, I think it is better to start over,” said Davisson. “This is the first entire group I’ve coached beginning as eighth-graders.”

, DataTimes