A-1 Division Ii

Thu., Aug. 31, 2000

In predicted order of finish:

Sandpoint Bulldogs

1999 records: 9-0 (Border League), 27-1 (state champ)

Coach: Jeff Hurst.

Years coaching: 8th

Starters, lettermen returning: 2, 3

Key players: Rochelle Ruen, sr., 5-11, setter/outside hitter; Keely Kinzer, sr., 5-4, def. specialist; Amy Dyck, fr., 5-10, s/oh; Katie Brown, soph., 5-9, middle hitter.

Coach’s comments: “We lost a lot, but we definitely want to be state champs. We’ve got some tools to work with.”

Outlook: This will be a work in -progress with a late-October result similar to recent seasons. The younger Bulldogs have a ton of club experience at national tournaments.

Post Falls Trojans

1999 records: 4-5, 11-12

Coach: Lori Harris.

Years coaching: 1st

Starters, lettermen returning:

Key players: Erin Murphy, sr., 5-5, s/ds; Aubree Johnson, soph., 6-2, mh; Jessica Farris, sr., 5-6, oh; Nicole Boggs, sr., 5-7, oh; Maurissa Young, sr., 5-10, rightside hitter.

Coach’s comments: “They’re playing tough defense. We have good team morale. They’re willing to listen to instruction and make the changes they need to make.”

Outlook: New coach, new system, growing pains. It will take the Trojans and coach a while to get on the same page. Harris plans to make a long-term commitment to the program. But success may take a while.

Moscow Bears

1999 record: 8-1, 20-6

Coach: Amy Thompson

Years coaching: 6th

Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 5

Key players: Jessica Vasquez, sr., 5-6, setter; Emily Bennett, jr., 5-8, mh; Kacie Thol, jr., 5-6, oh; Annie Milot, sr., 5-5, ds; Megan Guenthner, jr., 5-11, mb.

Coach’s comments: “Obviously being No. 2 in league last year will mean people will be gunning for us. We’re pretty green overall. We haven’t quite got it all together.”

Outlook: The Bears could leap-frog over the Trojans and challenge for the playoff date for a state berth at Grangeville. A handful of Bears have club experience so that could pay dividends.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch

Rochelle Ruen, sr., 5-foot-11, setter/outside hitter, Sandpoint

Erin Murphy, sr., 5-5, setter/defensive specialist, Post Falls

Jessica Vasquez, sr., 5-6, setter, Moscow

Aubree Johnson, soph., 6-2, middle hitter, Post Falls

Keely Kinzer, sr., 5-4, defensive specialist, Sandpoint

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

A-1 Division Ii

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

A Grip on Sports: When even sports has a day that reminds us how fragile life can be, it makes sense to hold on to those around us as tight as possible

Former Gonzaga star Brandon Clarke dies at 29: 'He was a true legend'

Former Gonzaga teammates react to death of Brandon Clarke: 'An honor to share the court with you'