Intermountain League

In predicted order of finish:

St. Maries Lumberjacks

1999 records: 10-0 (league champ), 30-4 (state runner-up) Coach: Mitch Santos Years coaching: 22nd Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 7 Key players: Jessica Yearout, jr., 5-7, oh; Arienne Wilcott, sr., 5-9, mb; Shena Charles, jr., 5-9, mb.

Coach’s comments: “Year over year there’s a huge difference, a big difference in power. Our court sense is a little better.

We’re quicker and we play a little smarter.”

Outlook: The Lumberjacks returned to the state title match last year which was a big accomplishment. They’ll do so again this year, but the result will be what they desire. Yearout is one of the top players in the region regardless of classification.

Lakeland Hawks

1999 records: 8-2, 17-13

Coach: Claudia Ebel

Years coaching: 19th

Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 6

Key players: Ashley Jamison, jr., 5-7, s; Sarah Hansen, jr., 5-10, mh; Desirae Crocker, sr., 5-5, oh; Jessica Austad, jr., 5-7, oh; Kara Kiefer, soph., 5-9, mh.

Coach’s comments: “We’re very athletic. They’re hard workers and they catch on real fast. We’ll definitely be tougher at the net. That hasn’t been one of our strong points.”

Outlook: Very bright. This could be the year that the Hawks finally overcome the Lumberjacks. Athletically, the Hawks are second to none in the league.

Bonners Ferry Badgers

1999 records: 5-5, 10-9

Coach: Janis Tucker

Years coaching: 18th

Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 5

Key players: Meghan Mellett, sr., 5-5, setter; Julie Bateman, sr., 5-11, mb; Hailey Hays, jr., 5-8, oh; Taylor Cady, sr., 6-0, oh; Kora Armstrong, jr., 6-0, mb.

Coach’s comments: “Someone said to me that you can tell how good a volleyball team is if you’re able to take the athletes and make a good track team. This volleyball team would make a good track team.”

Outlook: The Badgers, player to player, might have the second-best athletic team in the league. But their volleyball skill level isn’t quite at the same level as the teams above them. Could surprise, though.

Kellogg Wildcats

1999 records: 3-7, 9-11

Coach: Laurie Roberts

Years coaching: 5th

Starters, lettermen returning: 5, 7

Key players: Kacie Martello, sr., 5-10, mh; Jennifer Luchini, sr., 5-9, s; Katy Melun, sr., 5-6, oh; Amy Williams, soph., 5-11, mh.

Coach’s comments: “We’re probably in the middle of the pack at least in the even early season. It’s the most well-rounded, talented group I’ve had.”

Outlook: A dark horse. The Wildcats are reaping the fruits of back-to-back winning junior varsity teams. Kellogg could finish as high as second.

Priest River Spartans

1999 records: 2-8, 4-16

Coach: Becky Hopkins

Years coaching: 1st

Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 6

Key players: Angie Turner, sr., 5-11, mh; Tambi Cork, sr., 5-9, oh.

Coach’s comments: “They’re all going to be challenging for us. Last year we ended up last in the league. My goal is to get out of last. It’s going to take a lot of heart and desire to do it.”

Outlook: The Spartans have much work ahead of them. Outside of Turner and Cork they’re unproven. It could be a long year.

Timberlake Tigers

1999 records: 2-8, 4-18

Coach: Michelle Garwood

Years coaching: 3rd

Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 3

Key players: Tiffany Miller, sr., 5-3, s; Kayla Vyleta, jr., 5-9, mh; Lisa Fox, soph., 5-7, oh/s.

Coach’s comments: “If we can take our hard work from practice onto the court we’ll be OK.”

Outlook: Graduation hit Timberlake hard. With a team made up largely of first-time varsity players, the Tigers will struggle.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch

Jessica Yearout, junior, 5-foot-7, outside hitter, St. Maries

Desirae Crocker, sr., 5-5, outside hitter, Lakeland

Meghan Mellett, sr., 5-5, setter, Bonners Ferry

Kacie Martello, sr., 5-10, middle hitter, Kellogg

Angie Turner, sr., 5-11, middle hitter, Priest River

Arienne Wilcott, sr., 5-9, middle blocker, St. Maries