Intermountain Volleyball
In predicted order of finish
St. Maries Lumberjacks
1997 records: 10-0 (league champ), 22-4 overall
Coach: Mitch Santos
Years coaching: 20th
Top returners: Jamie Hammes, senior, 5-foot-10, outside hitter; Sarah Lockard, sr., 5-5, defensive specialist; Lindsey Harpole, jr., 5-6, setter; Ariene Wilcott, sophomore, 5-8, middle hitter; Tiffany Holdahl, jr., 5-6, oh.
Top newcomers: Jessica Yearout, freshman, 5-6, oh; Shena Charles, frosh., 5-8, mh; Lauren Cuvala, jr., 5-2, ds; Essie Nelson, jr., 5-9, mh/oh.
Quick set: The largest freshman class turned out, and Santos kept all 13. Two will be on varsity and the rest will take 11 of 12 roster spots on junior varsity.
Coach’s comments: “This is the most competition I’ve had for varsity spots ever. And it’s not competition based on attrition. We haven’t had that element in the past. It’s a battle every day in practice. It’s making everybody better.”
Outlook: After winning 10 straight state titles, St. Maries has gone without one for four years. That drought should end this year. Yes St. Maries, top to bottom, may be young in terms of high school experience. But don’t be fooled. These girls have been playing volleyball most of their lives.
Lakeland Hawks
1997 records: 3-7, 13-13
Coach: Claudia Collins
Years coaching: 17th
Top returners: Becky Hardy, sr., 5-7, oh; Megan Egbert, jr., 6-0, mh; Danielle Crocker, sr., 5-7, oh; Lacie Berger, sr., 5-7, oh.
Top newcomers: Anika Duvall, jr., 5-5, s; Anna Crecelius, jr., 5-4, ds; Kara Worthen, jr., 5-8, mh/ds.
Quick set: Collins can’t help but wonder what kind of team she’d have had Lakeland not split this fall. How good would the Hawks have been? St. Maries’ stiffest state competition would have come from its own league.
Coach’s comments: “I still like our chances. We have some work on defense and we need to block better. But it’s early.”
Outlook: Lakeland could finish anywhere from second to fourth. We pick the Hawks here based on tradition. Lakeland’s been the second-best team most seasons. But the Hawks will have their hands full with Priest River and Timberlake.
Priest River Spartans
1997 records: 5-5, 11-8
Coach: Carrie Shugert
Years coaching: 6th
Top returners: JoAnne Vogrig, sr., 5-11, mh; Melanie Duley, sr., 5-8, oh; Amy Leen, sr., 5-6, s.
Top newcomers: Angie Turner, soph., 5-11, mh; Tambi Cork, soph., 5-10, oh.
Quick set: The Spartans came oh so close to earning a state berth last year. They hope to break through this season.
Coach’s comments: “We’re inexperienced, but we’re pretty talented. I don’t see a plateau ahead. I think we’ll continue to learn and learn and learn.”
Outlook: The Spartans shouldn’t suffer too many stretches of inconsistent play. They don’t have one particular strength, but they don’t have any glaring weaknesses. Priest River could leapfrog over Lakeland.
Timberlake Tigers
1997 records: None, 1st year
Coach: Michelle Garwood
Years coaching: 1st
Top returners: (From Lakeland) Cassie Beyer, sr., 5-7, s; Melissa Adams, 5-7, sr., oh; Kerinsa Jennings, jr., 5-7, oh/mh; Angie Campbell, jr., 5-7, oh.
Top newcomers: Tiffany Miller, 5-4, soph., ds; Kristi Holms, sr., 5-8, mh; Mandy Rasmussen, sr., 5-7, oh; Elizabeth Dallenbach, sr., 5-7, oh.
Quick set: Unlike Lakeland, Timberlake isn’t fielding freshmen teams in any sport this year. Freshmen must make junior varsity or varsity teams. Just three freshmen turned out for volleyball. That doesn’t concern Garwood. She expects that number to rise in the years to come.
Coach’s comments: “We’ll do well. They have the potential to have a winning season. I have no doubt about that.”
Outlook: This appears the most logical spot for Timberlake. But it wouldn’t be a shocker if they placed higher. The Tigers have a strong nucleus.
Kellogg Wildcats
1997 records: 1-9, 3-14
Coach: Laurie Roberts
Years coaching: 3rd
Top returners: Amber Goodson, sr., 5-9, mh; Loni Beamis, sr., 5-4, ds; Erica Schreiber, sr., 5-8, oh; Haley Reese, sr., 5-6, ds; Stephanie Baillie, sr., 5-9, mh.
Top newcomers: Jennifer Luchini, soph., 5-9, s; Lynnell Longley, jr., 5-6, oh; Katy Melun, soph., 5-6, oh.
Quick set: Goodson was one of a couple players overlooked in the all-league balloting last year. She’ll have to stand out this season for Kellogg to challenge for an upper-division finish.
Coach’s comments: “We’ll need to play very scrappy defense. Hopefully our offense will come along as the season progresses.”
Outlook: Therein lies the problem for Kellogg. In this league teams with nothing more than defense don’t finish too high. If things come together as Roberts anticipates, Kellogg may overcome its greatest obstacle.
Bonners Ferry Badgers
1997 records: 4-6, 10-12
Coach: Janis Tucker
Years coaching: 16th
Top returners: Kendra Maas, jr., 5-9, mh; Dana Robertson, sr., 5-7, oh; Hailey Larson, sr., 5-10, oh; Meghan Mellett, soph., 5-5, s.
Top newcomers: Julie Bateman, soph., 5-11, mh; Abby Dinning, sr., 5-2, s/ds; Kim Carey, sr., 5-10, oh.
Quick set: The Badgers took offense last year when they were picked to finish last. So they proved us wrong by finishing fourth. They’d take fourth now, no questions asked.
Coach’s comments: “They’re pretty scrappy; that’s probably what we’ll have to be this year. We don’t have a lot of guns.”
Outlook: The Badgers will struggle. They’re athletic, but don’t have a go-to player that can put the ball down.
Players to watch Jamie Hammes, senior, 5-foot-10, outside hitter, St. Maries. Cassie Beyer, senior, 5-7, setter, Timberlake. Becky Hardy, senior, 5-7, outside hitter, Lakeland. Ariene Wilcott, sophomore, 5-8, middle hitter, St. Maries. Amber Goodson, senior, 5-9, middle hitter, Kellogg. JoAnne Vogrig, senior, 5-11, middle hitter, Priest River. Lindsey Harpole, junior, 5-6, setter, St. Maries.