Wildcats Enjoy Dynamite Opener

Mt. Spokane volleyball entered its fourth Greater Spokane League season with high hopes.

Judging by the Wildcats’ GSL opener on Tuesday night, those hopes could be realized.

Taci Van Leuven served the first five points of the match and the first 11 points of the second game, as Mt.

Spokane skunked visiting University 15-0, 15-0, 15-0 in one of five GSL openers.

Mt. Spokane, winless in its first two seasons (1997, ‘98), picked up its first two wins in 1999. The Wildcats set a goal of a top-six finish this year, aiming to qualify for their first district tournament.

In other GSL openers, Katy Schrader had three of her 17 kills to finish off Shadle Park’s 15-12, 15-3, 19-17 win over visiting Gonzaga Prep. Shadle freshman Holly Ridings had 10 digs and eight kills, and served four consecutive points for a 15-14 lead in the third game. G-Prep returning all-leaguer Keva Sonderen had 11 kills. … Defending state champion Mead scored the final 10 points of the second game and the last nine points of the third to sweep host Rogers 3-0. Kelicia Shorts, a transfer from Riverside, led Mead with six blocks. Hillary Kaesemeyer of Rogers had nine digs… . Four-time defending GSL champion Ferris roared out the gates with a 3-0 win at North Central. Kristen Urdahl totaled 15 digs and 24 assists for Ferris, which improved its league winning streak to 41. The league record is Shadle’s 52 consecutive wins, a streak ended by Ferris in 1986. NC’s Amy Oates had eight digs… . Jessica Brown served the first five points and East Valley blazed to an 8-0 start on the way to a 15-12, 15-13, 15-11 win over visiting Central Valley. EV’s Kayla Schreiber served 12 for 12. Katie Rodgers led CV in 3 categories.

Kelly Brannan had team highs of six kills, four aces and three blocks as Cheney defeated visiting Lake City 3-1 in a Border League opener. The Blackhawks rolled despite the absence of starting middle hitter Julie Marsh (abdominal strain). Rachel Mogen of the Timberwolves had 22 kills… . In other Border openers, Shannon Groh had eight kills, including four quick ones for a 7-0, second-game lead, and West Valley notched a 3-1 win over visiting Coeur d’Alene. WV had five players with five or more kills. Amy Stranger’s five consecutive points, including two aces, helped CdA jump to a 7-0 lead in the third game… . Tarah McAllister served eight consecutive points in the first game for a 13-5 lead, and Lewiston swept visiting Clarkston 3-0.

Girls soccer

Katie Bumgarner and Lori Regnier scored four minutes apart in the second half to cap Cheney’s 5-2 win at Moscow (3-2, 0-1) in the Border League. The Blackhawks (2-1, 1-0) led 3-0 before Emily Mues had a goal and an assist to put the Bears within one goal… . Jamison Link scored the first two goals during Coeur d’Alene’s 6-0 win over Lakeland (1-4, 0-2) at Rathdrum. The Vikings are 5-1, 2-0… . Katy Ridenour scored three goals to guide Post Falls’ 7-0 win at Clarkston… . Nicki Lyon totaled two goals and two assists as Lake City won its league opener, 8-0 at Lewiston (2-3, 1-1).

Lacie Wilson’s goal at 27 minutes held up, allowing Lakeside (2-0) to take a 1-0 win at Medical Lake (0-2) in the Great Northern League. Lakeside also had two shots hit the post. ML had a few late shots sail wide of the goal… . Riverside (1-1) bounced back from its first loss in league history, as Jenny Svennungsen totaled two goals and one assist during the first 23 minutes to spark a 7-1 win at Deer Park (1-1).

Allie Kovesday assisted on the final two goals of a five-goal first half, and Kennewick finished with an 8-1 win at Moses Lake in the Big Nine Conference.

Cross country

Pullman’s Brett Udy (18 minutes, 45.9 seconds over 3.25 miles) and Colfax’s Amelie Mabbutt (22:28.6) won at the Colfax Invitational at Schmuck Park. Pullman won both team titles.