Intermountain League Volleyball Preview
Road to state: The district champ and runner-up earn state berths.
In predicted order of finish:
Timberlake Tigers
2003 records: 20-10 overall, 8-2 league
Coach: Michelle Garwood
Years coaching: 7th
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 5
Key players: Corina Beyer, junior, 5-foot-9, setter/outside hitter; Erin Macklin, senior, 5-10, middle hitter; Tarra Tymesen, sophomore, 5-10, mh; Lynsie Powers, jr., 5-8, rightside hitter.
Coach’s comments: “I have some players who complement each other well. They’ve had a taste of success and it’s pushing them harder for more.”
Outlook: The Tigers captured their first district title in school history last year, and they’re heavily favored to repeat.
St. Maries Lumberjacks
2003 records: 7-17, 3-7
Coach: Jamie Hammes
Years coaching: 1st
Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 8
Key players: Jenna Robertson, jr., 5-5, oh; Erin Sather, jr., 5-8, s; Kelsi Lee, jr., 5-10, mh; Kristi Smith, sr., 5-6, oh; Shawna Heath, freshman, 5-9, rh.
Coach’s comments: “I’ve been around (St. Maries) a while and they have the best attitudes I’ve seen for a long time.”
Outlook: A St. Maries graduate, Hammes was a four-year starter during her career. She’s the third coach in four years, and she wants to return the Lumberjacks to their glory days. Much work is ahead, though.
Kellogg Wildcats
2003 records: 3-18, 0-10
Coach: Dick Schreiber
Years coaching: 15th, 2nd at Kellogg
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 5
Key players: Cami Wendt, sr., 5-10, mh; Amanda Olson, soph., 5-10, mh; Felicia Frisbee, sr., 5-3, s; Whitney Mann, sr., 5-9, oh.
Coach’s comments: “We really have a fighting chance (for second) if we play with confidence.”
Outlook: More than a fighting chance. But the Wildcats won’t be able to afford many lulls in confidence. If things go well, Kellogg will battle for a state berth.
Bonners Ferry Badgers
2003 records: 16-11, 6-4
Coach: Janice Tucker
Years coaching: 22nd
Starters, lettermen returning: 0, 3
Key players: Lindsay Dietz, sr., 5-7, oh; Becky Lowther, soph., 5-8, s/oh; Tyga White, jr., 5-8, mh; Olivia Hanson, sr., 5-10, mh; Jennifer Youngwirth, jr., 5-6, s.
Coach’s comments: “It will be an interesting year. They’re pretty athletic, but they don’t have a lot of volleyball background.”
Outlook: In fact, this is one of the most inexperienced teams Tucker has had in years. They’ll have to overcome youthful mistakes.
Priest River Spartans
2003 records: 13-13, 4-6
Coach: Ken Skacel
Years coaching: 1st
Starters, lettermen returning: 1, 2
Key players: Rachel Schlechte, sr., 5-6, oh; Calli Jo Turner, sr., 5-9, mh; Amanda Corning, jr., 5-8, oh.
Coach’s comments: “We lost a lot of experience. We’re very young.”
Outlook: The Spartans graduated 10 players off their state-qualifying team. They face a rebuilding year.