Chase for GNL title appears wide open

Most of last year’s Great Northern League volleyball all-league players have graduated, lending an increased air of uncertainty about a season that begins tonight.

So uncertain that Colville coach Missy Bennett figures that four schools, including her Indians, could place anywhere between second and sixth.

Who knows? She may be sandbagging. Colville, with three returning starters and six letter winners from last year’s seventh-place state finisher, might just be the favorite. All her players also have extensive off-season club experience, she said.

“We have two returning all-league outside hitters,” said Bennett, of her “dynamic duo,” Nikki Bardwell and Whitney Loan. “We graduated two-time league MVP Kara Pein, so filling the setting position will be huge.”

Bennett favored Pullman to win the league, figuring its new coach, Jennifer (Stinson) Greeny, will have a positive impact on a relatively young and not very tall team.

The Greyhounds graduated five starters and a total of seven letter winners from last year’s fourth-place state finisher, but in juniors – middle Miranda Weitz and outside hitter Crystal Dayton, and sophomores, outside hitter/libero Katie Hinrichs and middle Grethe Vogel – youth can be served.

“Inexperience is our biggest weakness,” said Greeny. “Our young players will need to make a difference right away.”

Those two and perennial power Lakeside can expect a challenge from Riverside and Chewelah.

Although Lakeside has five letter winners back, only one was a starter, and the team has only one senior.

“They are young, but have a lot of talent,” said coach Kara Moffatt. “It will be fun to watch their growth.”

Chewelah, said Bennett, “is really young and good.”

Riverside, a district qualifier last year, is hoping to continue making upward progress behind four returnees, including three-sport standout Angela Hartill, and junior Sarah Robinson, a convert to setter.

Deer Park has six seniors on its roster, five of them varsity returnees, including last year’s stat’s leader, outside hitter Kaytee Clough.