Volleyball preview

Greater Spokane League

U-Hi returns nine players and five starters, including league Most Valuable Player Sydney Schlect, a senior outside hitter, from the team that tied for the league title and advanced to the State 3A tournament. Also back is senior middle hitter Brooklynn Tacke, a first-team all-leaguer. “We look to continue where we left off last season – looking to repeat as GSL champs and make a return appearance to state,” coach Mike Summers said of his Titans, who have moved to the 4A ranks. … CV returns eight players from last year’s team that finished second at regional and advanced to the State 4A. Senior OH/MH Kazlyn Roullier and junior MH Keann White were named first-team all-league. “Our girls have set lofty goals for the season,” CV coach Amanda Bailey said. “We know that with our talent level, we should have a very successful season.” … Mead graduated five starters from the team that tied for the league title and won district and regional titles before playing at the State 4A. Junior libero Payton Douglass, a first-team selection, and senior MH Kristina Volz, a second-teamer, lead the way. … G-Prep placed third at last year’s 4A district. The Bullpups return senior OH/MB Macy Collins, a second-team choice, and greet 6-foot-4 freshman right-side hitter Patience O’Neal. “We are blessed with a ton of height and will hopefully capitalize on that strength,” G-Prep coach Jill Benson said. … Mt. Spokane returns four starters from last year’s fifth-place team, including senior Karly Cantu, a second-team selection who moves from libero to setter this year. … Six seniors helped Shadle tie for last year’s league title and advance to the State 3A. Senior L Emily Rector has the most returning experience. “We are young but very athletic,” Shadle coach Brooke Meyer said. “We lost a lot of experience, but we will finish strong.” … Former St. George’s coach CherryAnn Coballes replaces Ashley Crowley at Lewis and Clark. Senior MH Joslyn Bopray, a second-team returner, leads the Tigers. … Ferris returns three starters, including sophomore OH Summer Reid. … Rogers returns seven players, including five seniors. … New NC coach Pat Rausch replaces Carissa Cameron. The Indians have eight returners, including four seniors.

Great Northern League

Defending league and district champion East Valley returns junior OH Jordan Phelan, a first-team selection. Senior S Emily Sior and junior L Brooklyn Juris made the second team. “Our strengths this year are our setter, outsides and defense,” EV coach Darin Wold said. “We are hoping to return to state again this year.” … Colville, which joined EV at the State 2A last year, has dropped to the Northeast A, as has Deer Park. … Pullman placed second in league last year and returns second-teamer Melissa Langerveld, a junior OH. … Clarkston returns six starters for coach Adam Van Vogt, who predicts a top-three finish. His Bantams lost three Game 5s in league last year.

Northeast A League

Freeman and Lakeside battled all 2013, down to the State 1A match for third and fourth places that Freeman won. The Scotties return first-team all-leaguer Hayley Damon, a sophomore OH, and second-teamer Josie Schultz, a senior setter. “Some of our sophomores played significant roles last year and if we can build on that experience, we could compete for a place in the state tournament,” said Eva Windlin-Jansen, who has coached the Scotties to four top-eight state finishes since 2009. … Lakeside returns two senior all-league OHs, first-teamer Jessica Schmautz and second-teamer Lexi Watkins. “Last year we lost Jessica Schmautz midseason to a stress fracture. It’s nice to have her back healthy and leading the team,” said Kara Moffatt, who has 13 state appearances and 12 trophies in 16 years with the Eagles. … Colville had six senior starters when it advanced to the State 2A last year. … Junior MH Hadley Stratton, a first-team all-leaguer, returns for Newport, under the guidance of first-year coach Lori Stratton. “We will be strong at the net this year, hitting and blocking, as well as scrappy in the back row,” coach Stratton said. … Riverside returns senior OH Sydney Spray, a three-time first-teamer. Nina Abdanur, a first-teamer last year, was an exchange student. Spray’s freshman sister Abby joins the team. “There’s lots of excitement surrounding this year, especially with the one-time-only teaming of the Spray sisters,” coach Debbie Spray said. … Deer Park returns four starters, including junior OH Janae Nelson and sophomore L Kaitlyn Mataya. “We’re capable of great things, but we’re still susceptible to periods of mediocrity,” sixth-year Stags coach Jack Wood said. … New Chewelah coach Shirley Baker, who has coached six teams to state in 18 varsity seasons, welcomes four returning starters, including seniors Tenika Smith and Kaitlin Krouse, the defending state discus champion. … Second-year Medical Lake coach Amanda Higgins has four returning lettermen, including starter Cassidy Hagel, a senior OH/S.

B leagues

2B Colfax, despite a tough schedule against all classifications, finished 36-1 last year as Sue Doering (715-182 record) coached her 11th state championship team at the school. The Bulldogs return four starters, including senior all-leaguers Kori Goodwin (S) and Amara Huber (OH). “A strong schedule against the GSL will make us work hard,” Doering said. “Most of our girls are not club players, so we will have to make up court time and the learning curve will be steep.” … Lind-Ritzville/ Sprague advanced to state last year and returns senior all-leaguers Mallory Kessler (MB) and Jenna Bennett (S). … Davenport placed fourth at state last year and returns senior all-leaguers Sarah Vesneske (S) and Chrissy Hannemann (OH). … Northwest Christian returns all-leaguers Belle Potter (L) and Bayley Steinmark (OH/S). … In 1B, Tekoa-Oakesdale won its third consecutive state title last season. Oakesdale is now on its own in the Southeast 1B under first-year coach McKinzie Turner while Tekoa has joined with Rosalia in the Northeast 2B. L Jacey Johnson is Oakesdale’s returning starter. … Senior all-league MH Jordyn Tanke returns for Odessa- Harrington in the Northeast 1B South. … In the Southeast 1B, St. John-Endicott returns all-league senior Rachel Gfeller and Garfield-Palouse returns junior Holly Brown, an honorable mention.

5A IEL

Lewiston takes aim at a third consecutive State 5A title, led by reigning MVP Emilee Schlader, a senior OH, and senior S Makayla Wilson, a returning all-leaguer. … CdA returns three starters, including junior OH/S Megan Ramseyer, a first-teamer last year. … Post Falls returns three starters, including senior OH Amanda Westlake and senior S Lydea Schneider.

IML

Bonners Ferry returns starters Jasmine Hill and Malorie Stippich for new coach Kendra Maas.