Sports notebook: Knights win opener against Indians

East Valley’s volleyball team picked up a significant win to open the Greater Spokane League season.

The Knights defeated North Central in straight sets, 25-19, 25-23, 25-22.

Last year the Indians finished 4-6 in league and qualified for the 3A regional tournament by ousting 1-9 GSL finishing EV in five games.

But the Knights had seven sophomores on their nine-member roster and only one senior. Seven of the nine return, bolstered by four additions.

Veteran Justine Simpson led the team in kills with 11, returning setter Kelsey Kurtz had 23 assists, Kirsten Kelly had 17 digs and Brie Schau had four blocks. All are junior returnees.

Newcomer sophomore Allie Riggin led the team in service aces with five.

Both University and Central Valley are 1-1 after the first week. The Bears beat Gonzaga Prep 25-22, 25-23, 25-12, Ashley Semler with nine kills and 10 digs. Amanda Carlstrom led in aces and blocks and sophomore Shannon Guisti had 32 assists. CV had lost to Lewis and Clark in its opener.

U-Hi beat Rogers 25-13, 25-7, 25-13, Eileen Chatfield leading in kills and aces, and lost in four rugged games to. Mt. Spokane, 16-25, 25-15, 30-28, 25-17, Kasey Jurich with 19 kills.

“West Valley is one of three Great Northern League teams to begin the season 2-0. The Eagles defeated Riverside in five games and swept Cheney in three. Melissa Mauro had 27 kills in the two matches, Alyssa Wold 65 assists and, against Riverside, Brittany Anderson had 21 digs.

Football futures on line

Friday night was pivotal to the GSL football season of Central Valley. The Bears hosted Gonzaga Prep. The two teams are among several vying for high finishes in the conference and winner got a leg up.

The Bears began the season 1-1, losing to Lewis and Clark as time was running out and beating Rogers 36-13 a week ago.

University (2-0 overall), played Mt. Spokane after surviving its league debut 14-13, scoring in the game’s final 15 seconds. And East Valley (1-1) hosted North Central in a game between teams chasing 3A post-season berths.

Both the Titans and Knights jump into the frying pan next week. U-Hi plays at Gonzaga Prep on Friday and EV plays Mead at Albi Stadium in the Thursday feature.

“West Valley completed its nonleague season on Friday and next week is in Pullman to determine the seriousness of its playoff aspirations. The Eagles have divided their first two games, receiver/defensive back Parker Flynn with nine catches for 285 yards and two touchdowns on offense. He also has had an interception and a total of 353 all-purpose yards.

1-0 wins in soccer

Central Valley and University, who finished eighth and seventh last year, opened the GSL soccer season victorious with a pair of hair-raising 1-0 triumphs.

The Bears edged last year’s fourth-place finisher East Valley, scoring midway through the first half. The Titans (3-1-1 overall) scored with five minutes remaining to defeat Ferris, last year’s league co-champion.

Freshman Taylor Mueller scored at the 18-minute park, assisted by sophomore Jackie Morden and it held up for CV (4-0 overall). U-Hi veterans Abby Goss, who scored, assisted by Katy Sloyer, both seniors, combined for the Titan goal.

“West Valley lost to Cheney 2-1 in a match between Great Northern League favorites, the Eagles initial loss of the season. All scoring came in the first half of the match, Kaley Way getting WV’s score after the team fell behind 2-0. WV beat Riverside and Colville in other league matches.

Overland showdown soon

Central Valley’s boys and girls are both among the Greater Spokane League favorites in cross country. Wednesday will tell the tale.

The Bears are at Ferris, where the boys square off with the Saxons, North Central and Mead to determine their fate in the second week of the league season. CV’s girls and Mead are among those figuring to chase a GSL title.

Both teams won easily in their season openers. Bears boys swept past Gonzaga Prep and Shadle Park 17-44 and 18-43 and the girls beat the Bullpups 19-40 and Highlanders 18-43.

CV boys had four of the top five finishers, led by Jayson Taylor who won by a second over teammate Bryce Aguilar in 16:57. Eden Lake was second among girls in 20:48, the Bears with five of the first seven finishers.

East Valley’s girls and boys lost to Mead and Lewis and Clark, Lauren Bergam finishing fourth at home. University split, the boys losing to NC, the girls winning 25-31, Stevie Gildehaus winning by a minute in 20:22 at Liberty Lake County Park.

Rowley leads Trailhead

Marcia Rowley led the way during most recent competition among Trailhead Ladies Club golfers.

She shot 48 to win A flight. Deanna Hauser had low net of 29.

B flight went to Joy Russell with low gross 52 and Bev Johnson netted 29. Peg Nadvornick won C flight with 66 and Myrlene Haskell, who had a chip-in, recorded low net with 30.

Best nine holes

Liberty Lake Women’s 18-Hole golfers counted their best nine holes and half their handicap to determine weekly winners.

A flight was won by Sandy Mooney with a net 38. B flight’s Gloria Cash netted 37.

In C flight, Louise Newtson won by a stroke over Penny Wasser with her 35 ½ score.

Judy Stroup netted 32 in D flight, six strokes ahead of Jan Hussey and Jan Krogseth.