Scene Changes At Cheney, Liberty Former Blackhawk Volleyball Coach To Oversee Lancer Ahtletics; Medical Lake Shy On Seniors

Cheney and Liberty’s school districts made some moves over the summer that changed the look of South Side volleyball teams.

Liberty athletic director Dave Baird accepted a teaching position in Cheney, leaving his position open.

Liberty hired former Cheney volleyball coach Pamela McKinzie as its new athletic director, opening a coaching spot at Cheney for Tammy Hauer.

Medical Lake hopes its change from last year becomes status quo. The district made a huge move in the Great Northern League last season, jumping from a 2-12 record in 1998 to 7-5 and third place.

Cheney has drive, determination

New coach Hauer succeeds McKinzie, whose second stint as Blackhawks coach lasted three seasons.

“This is my first season as head coach,” Hauer said. “Therefore, it is hard to predict the kind of season we will have.”

Junior Julie Marsh, a 5-foot-11 middle hitter, is expected to lead Cheney’s offense. Marsh is a third-year letter winner.

Taking over as setter is Kelly Brannan, a 5-10 senior.

“We don’t have a lot of varsity experience, but we do have drive and determination, which should get us to regionals,” Hauer said.

A top prospect for the future, sophomore middle blocker Austin Zimmerman, transferred to Lewis and Clark.

Cheney, with a 3-6 record, tied for seventh place with Lewiston in last year’s Border League race.

The Blackhawks’ league opener was Tuesday at home against Lake City of Coeur d’Alene.

Medical Lake young but experienced

Coach Debbie Spray begins her fourth year, which is also the fourth year for senior Leslie Mitchell, a three-year starting setter.

Senior outside hitter Carley Marlton, junior middle blocker Nicole Jones and junior outside hitter Amanda Daily are the other returners.

“Marlton is a whole other person,” Spray said. “I look for her to do big things.”

Daily just shed a back brace she wore 4 years for scoliosis. Jones was selected a second-team, all-leaguer last year.

Starting middle blocker Amy Green, who played three years for Spray, moved to Colorado.

“The senior class was exceptional last year,” said Spray, last year’s GNL Coach of the Year.

“I only have two seniors this year, so I’m looking for the younger girls to be the leaders. That’s my challenge for the season.”

The Cardinals opened league play against defending State 2A champion Lakeside last Thursday . Their next GNL match is next Thursday at Newport.

Liberty has lots of new faces

Fourth-year coach Mark Weis might want to invest in some name tags. Junior Jessica Gerard, a 5-7 outside hitter, is the only full-time returner on the 11-person roster.

Sophomore Jamie Girard and junior Courtney Fuchs split time between varsity and junior varsity last year.

Eight of the 10 players on last year’s team have graduated. Elizabeth Smith, who played middle last year as 5-10 freshman, transferred to Lewis and Clark.

The Lancers have no seniors on their current roster. Seven of the 11 players are sophomores or younger.

“We’re going in a little thin,” Weis said.

“We had just 12 turn out, which was a bit disappointing. … Twelve freshmen signed up last spring, but just two have turned out.”

Liberty tied Freeman for second place in the Northeast A League last year.

Colfax, undefeated in the league since 1995, returns four players from last year’s State 1A runner-up team.

Liberty’s league opener is Sept. 23 at Kettle Falls.