Intermountain Volleyball
In predicted order of finish:
St. Maries Lumberjacks
1998 records: 29-5 (fourth at state), 10-0 (league champ)
Coach: Mitch Santos
Years coaching: 21st
Top returners: Lindsey Harpole, sr., 5-7, setter; Jessica Yearout, soph., 5-6, outside hitter; Tiffany Holdahl, sr., 5-5, oh; Lauren Cuvala, sr., 5-1, defensive spec.; Allison Bender, jr., 5-6, oh; Shena Charles, soph., 5-9, middle blocker; Essie Nelson, sr., 5-10, oh/mb; Ariene Wilcott, jr., 5-10, mb.
Top newcomers: Holly Eberlin, soph., 5-6, oh; Trisha Ayers, sr., 5-11, mb.
Coach’s comments: “There’s plenty of talent. They’re hungry. We have a little more power base and a little more balance than recent years.”
Outlook: The Lumberjacks, who haven’t been blessed with height over the years, are tiny again. But what they lack in size they make up for with intelligence and all-around skills. St. Maries, which has won 19 straight league and district titles, has the makings to challenge for a state title.
Lakeland Hawks
1998 records: 8-11, 4-6
Coach: Claudia Ebel (formerly Collins)
Years coaching: 18th
Top returners: Anika Duvall, sr., 5-4, s; Megan Egbert, sr., 6-0, mb.
Top newcomers: Jessica Austad, soph., 5-6, oh; Ashley Jamison, soph., 5-7, right-side hitter; Desierae Crocker, jr., 5-5, oh; Sarah Hansen, soph., 5-10, mb.
Coach’s comments: “We’re coming along. People probably aren’t going to think this, but we’re quite young. We could have four sophomores on the floor at the same time. They haven’t played a lot of volleyball, but they’re very, very athletic and intelligent.”
Outlook: Second place won’t be handed to the Hawks. They have their work cut out, but the mixture of veterans and youth will present problems for opponents.
Bonners Ferry Badgers
1998 records: 13-14, 5-5
Coach: Janis Tucker
Years coaching: 17th
Top returners: Kendra Maas, sr., 5-10, mb; Megan Mellett, jr., 5-5, s; Kayla Howlett, sr., 5-7, oh; Julie Bateman, jr., 5-10, mb.
Top newcomers: Hailey Hays, soph., 5-7, s; Kora Armstrong, soph., 5-11, mb; Taylor Cady, jr., 5-10, oh/mb; Becky Diel, sr., 5-6, oh; Maia Hawkes, sr., 5-7, oh.
Coach’s comments: “Potentially, with our height and athletic ability, this could be one of my better teams.”
Outlook: Maas is recovering from a sprained ankle and Mellett is coming back from reconstructive knee surgery. If the Badgers can overcome the injuries, they’ll challenge for a state berth.
Timberlake Tigers
1998 records: 9-8, 4-6
Coach: Michelle Garwood
Years coaching: 2nd
Top returners: Angie Campbell, sr., 5-7, oh/s; Kerinsa Jennings, sr., 5-6, oh; Tiffany Miller, jr., 5-3, br.
Top newcomers: Casi Reisenaur, sr., 5-0, ds/oh; Kayla Vyleta, soph., 5-9, mb; Jackie Hedding, jr., 5-9, mb; Lisa Fox, freshman, 5-6, s.
Coach’s comments: “On a whole we have a lot more depth than last year. We’re experimenting with a 6-2 (offense) with using a senior (Campbell) and a freshman (Fox). They’re coming along.”
Outlook: The Tigers figure to be in the mix for the second berth. But they may not have the firepower to battle toe to toe with Lakeland and Bonners Ferry.
Kellogg Wildcats
1998 records: 7-7, 4-6
Coach: Laurie Roberts
Years coaching: 4th
Top returners: Jennifer Luchini, jr., 5-9, s; Katy Melun, jr., 5-6, oh; Lynnell Longley, sr., 5-6, oh.
Top newcomers: Kacie Martello, jr., 5-10, mb; Tabatha Poulson, sr., 5-7, rs; Heather Hoeck, sr., 5-6, oh; Tiffany Magnus, soph., 5-6, mb.
Coach’s comments: “We feel like we’re rebuilding, but we still feel like we can win. My theory after four years is it comes down to composure. How do you deal with the broken play and the unexpected.”
Outlook: The Wildcats may not have as much returning experience as other teams, but they have some multitalented athletes. Kellogg could be the surprise team.
Priest River Spartans
1998 records:
Coach: Jamie Poncho
Years coaching: 1st
Top returners: Emmy Stark, sr., 5-7, s/oh; Angie Turner, jr., 5-11, mb; Tambi Cork, jr., 5-9, oh.
Top newcomers: Mary Lemm, sr., 5-8, oh; Shaleen Cunningham, jr., 5-9, mh.
Coach’s comments: “I don’t know if it’s replace or restructure. We’re basically playing with a lot of (junior varsity) experience or no high school experience.”
Outlook: Poncho adds the volleyball job to his girls head basketball position. The Spartans graduated three all-league picks who guided Priest River from a last-place league finish to a storybook run through district. The Spartans earned their first state berth. They’re not likely to make it two straight.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Jessica Yearout, sophomore, 5-6, outside hitter, St. Maries Kendra Maas, senior, 5-10, middle blocker, Bonners Ferry Lindsey Harpole, sr., 5-7, setter, St. Maries Anika Duvall, sr., 5-4, setter, Lakeland Angie Campbell, sr., 5-7, outside hitter/ setter, Timberlake Ariene Wilcott, junior, 5-10, middle blocker, St. Maries Emmy Stark, sr., 5-7, setter/outside hitter, Priest River Kersina Jennings, sr., 5-6, outside hitter, Timberlake