IEL volleyball
In predicted order of league finish:
Moscow Bears
2004 records: 18-10 overall, 8-4 league
Coach: Aimee Graham
Years coaching: 3rd
Starters, lettermen returning: 5, 8
Key players: Kelsey Taylor, senior, 6-foot-3, middle hitter; Meredith Dolny, sr., 5-8, outside hitter; Kelly Scott, sr., 5-11, mh; Maddie Dolny, sophomore, 5-9, setter; Meredith Payton, sr., 5-5, libero; Sharlee Cummings, sr., 5-6, rightside hitter.
Coach’s comments: “I really like the chemistry we have with this group. There’s something there this year that I don’t know that we had last year.”
Outlook: Second in league a year ago, the Bears easily return the most experience – especially in the front row with the towering Taylor. Moscow believes it can make a run at a state title.
Lake City Timberwolves
2004 records: 22-4, 12-0 (league champ)
Coach: Jenny Owen
Years coaching: 3rd, 1st at LC
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 3
Key players: Renee Bordelon, sr., 5-10, rh/s; Lynn Hoppert, sr., 5-7, oh; Kelli Bridges, sr., 5-3, lib; Riki Moreland, jr., 6-0, mh; Kaylen Meredith, jr., 6-0, mh; Tabi Mabrey, jr., 5-8, oh; Caitlin Crimp, jr., 5-8, s.
Coach’s comments: “I’m not even looking at the future. We’re just looking at what we need to do today so we can add more tomorrow. We’re just trying to get everyone where we need them to be.”
Outlook: This may seem like a high finish for a team in a coaching transition, but the Timberwolves were blessed with three talented transfers – Moreland (Post Falls), Meredith (Coeur d’Alene) and Mabry (Bainbridge Island, Wash.). Once coach and players are on the same page, LC will be a formidable force.
Coeur d’Alene Vikings
2004 records: 13-14, 6-6
Coach: Carly Curtis
Years coaching: 2nd
Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 4
Key players: Jackie Lenz, sr., 5-2, lib; Jamie Anderson, sr., 5-7, oh; Rachel Moore, sr., 5-11, mh; Sally Sperle, jr., 5-6, s; Heather Helmhout, sr., 5-3, defensive specialist.
Coach’s comments: “I really like our defense. We’ve got two great back-row specialists. In a scramble situation they get the ball over the net. That was one of our struggles last year.”
Outlook: One potential starter transferred to LC and two others decided not to turn out (Jenna DeLong and Lindsay Stark). So the Vikings’ depth will be tested. They’ll be scrappy on defense.
Lakeland Hawks
2004 records: 13-13, 4-8
Coach: Claudia Ebel
Years coaching: 24th
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 8
Key players: Tracy Nielsen, sr., 6-1, mh; Brigitte Boucher, sr., 6-0, mh; Danielle Jacobson, sr., 5-7, oh; Scarlett Pruitt, sr., 5-6, s; Melissa Frank, sr., 5-6, lib; Marissa Duncan, jr., 5-10, oh.
Coach’s comments: “I’m very excited about this group. They know the game extremely well. We’ll be in the mix.”
Outlook: The Hawks should emerge as the second-best 4A team in the league. Seven of Lakeland’s 11 players are seniors, five of whom have been on varsity for three years. That experience will be invaluable.
Sandpoint Bulldogs
2004 records: 16-12, 7-5
Coach: Karen Alsager
Years coaching: 9th, 1st at Sandpoint
Starters, lettermen returning: 1, 5
Key players: Savanna Lester, jr., 5-5, lib; Lydia Tollbom, jr., 6-0, oh; Katie Watson, jr., 5-7, oh.
Coach’s comments: “I like the passion that they have for the sport. Sandpoint is known for its volleyball. The girls have made the commitment.”
Outlook: Initially this won’t look like a typical Sandpoint team. By season’s end, though, the Bulldogs will make serious strides. Alsager is the third coach in three years, but she plans on staying around. Her husband, Jim, has been hired as Sandpoint’s head girls basketball coach.
Lewiston Bengals
2004 records: 10-18, 2-10
Coach: Judy Fong
Years coaching: 3rd
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 6
Key players: Kim Fong, jr., 5-9, s; Mandie Edmonson, sr., 5-9, mh; Joey Larsen, jr., 5-7, s/rh; Beth Asker, sr., 5-4, lib.
Coach’s comments: “We’re making progress. Our goal is the end of the year.”
Outlook: Lewiston will be much more competitive than a predicted next-to-last finish in league. The Bengals caught LC unprepared last week in a league opener. For Lewiston to battle LC and CdA, it will have to rely heavily on a scrappy defense.
Post Falls Trojans
2004 records: 4-13, 3-9
Coach: Matt Malone
Years coaching: 2nd
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 6
Key players: Hannah Mundy, sr., 5-8, s/rh; Jackie Murinko, sr., 5-7, oh; Heather Kracht, sr., 5-6, lib; McKenzie Carlson, soph., 5-9, mh; Beth Samuel, jr., 5-8, s/rh; Paula Kastner, jr., 5-8, oh.
Coach’s comments: “Last year was hard. They had to learn a new system. They’ve adapted quicker this year. It’s a little smoother this year because they know what to expect.”
Outlook: The Trojans will be much improved, too, but it won’t show much in a league that has quality from top to bottom.