IEL/IML/NSL Volleyball

Lewiston off to fast start

It’s a statement that carries much credibility.

The Lewiston High volleyball team has a new fan after capturing its season-opening tournament.

Lewiston topped perennial 1A power Genesee in the title match 25-10, 25-17.

“Lewiston is a very solid team, probably one of the best Lewiston teams I can remember in recent years,” longtime Genesee coach Dave Neumann told the Lewiston Tribune.

The Bengals are off to their best start in school history at 8-0 overall.

They moved to 3-0 in Inland Empire League play with a wild 25-27, 27-25, 23-25, 25-19, 15-5 win over Moscow on Tuesday.

Lewiston opened league by sweeping Post Falls 25-12, 25-22, 25-15 and held off Lake City 25-13, 25-20, 25-23 last Thursday.

The Bengals have qualified just once (1985) since state tourneys were sanctioned in 1976.

Some are thinking this could be Lewiston’s breakthrough year.

Queen of (Inter)Mountain?

We took a stab at predicting the outcome in the Intermountain League, but it was strictly a guess.

Judging from the coaches, it’s anybody’s guess as to which team will come out on top.

“There’s not a clear-cut favorite,” St. Maries coach Jamie Sloper offered.

“I think any team can take it,” said 24-year Bonners Ferry coach Janis Tucker. “Top to bottom, it’s as balanced as it’s ever been in years.”

“I honestly feel that the team that plays the best on the night that’s important, will win,” Timberlake coach Michelle Garwood said.

Nice basketball team

Wallace coach Corki Matilla gets a little sensitive when anyone suggests it.

She knows that most of her team’s uniforms are occupied by players off the Miners basketball team that finished second at state last winter.

“That’s a nice basketball team you’ve got there, coach,” someone suggested to Matilla recently.

“That gets under my skin a little,” Matilla admitted. “I really have a couple of girls who could go on and play volleyball in college. I hope they consider it.”

The Miners aren’t thinking basketball yet. They want to do something at state in volleyball first.