PREP VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP: Sandpoint powers to another regional title

SANDPOINT - Having split both five set matches in the two regular season meetings, the Sandpoint Bulldogs and Moscow Bears each knew things would be tight in the new best two-out-of-three format to decide the 4A Region 1 volleyball championship on Saturday at Les Rogers Court.

Riding the power right arm of senior Taylor Martin and strong back line defense of libero Trinity Young, the No. 1 Bulldogs showed an ability to finish close sets, downing the No. 2 seed Bears 25-23, 17-25, 25-21, 25-20 to win the first match, followed by a 26-24, 22-25, 25-23, 25-23 win in the nightcap, punching their ticket to the 4A state playoffs.

Martin finished with a match-high 40 kills to go with 15 digs, hitting at a sizzling .455 clip in the first match, Darby Scrimsher finished with 91 assists and Young 32 digs for the Bulldogs (16-16), who will face Bishop Kelly on Friday in the 4A state tournament opener.

The Bulldogs also got 18 kills and 23 digs from Laney Search, 16 kills from Lexi Riley, 10 kills and seven aces from Kayla Neumann and 13 kills and 18 digs from Amy Shepard in a balanced and varied attack.

"Trinity kept us alive in the back row, and we got solid serving from Amy and Neumann," said first-year Bulldogs coach Erin Roos, calling the win a great group effort against a solid Moscow team. "Darbey used our offensive strengths, and Laney and Lexi executed our game plan. I'm looking forward to playing for a state championship."

Shepard, who brings a left-handed swing to the offense, said it will be fun to see what the competition is like at state, hoping her team can win some matches.

"We need to pull together, be a team and encourage each other. Go out and play aggressive like we know we can," said Shepard. "When we loosen up, let it all out and play how we do, we do really well. If we do that, we'll get far at state."

The Bulldogs nearly beat Lewiston late in the season, and have the defense and depth to make some noise.

The Bulldogs open against the Knights (13-3) on Friday at Kimberly High near Twin Falls.

Timberlake falls in state 3A play-in

GRANGEVILLE - The Tigers' bid for a berth at the state 3A tournament came up just short in a 17-25, 25-15, 25-18, 25-21 loss to the Wolverines in a state play-in match.

Courtney Eaton had six kills, and Matraca Rocheleau had 17 assists and three aces for Timberlake (8-16). Jamie Lickfold had 10 digs and three aces, Kiara Hauck 17 digs, Becca Castle and Chantelle Lickfold two blocks apiece.

Timberlake finished second at the District 1-2 tournament as the No. 3 seed.

Weiser advances to state beginning Friday at Twin Falls High.

"We played OK; we had some stretches where we let the other team rally off points against us," Timberlake coach Michelle Garwood said. "But the girls fought hard the entire match."

Kootenai captures 1A Division II

district title

SPIRIT LAKE - Staring an 0-2 deficit and the end of their season in the face, first-year Kootenai volleyball coach Mary Gentry's message was simple.

"You're worth more than this."

That message was received loud and clear.

Grace McInturff had 12 kills and 13 blocks as the third-seeded Warriors rallied to beat the top-seeded Mullan Tigers 23-25, 14-25, 25-17, 25-14, 15-3 in the 1A Division II District 1 tournament if-necessary match, advancing the Warriors to the state 1A Division II tournament starting Friday at Declo High.

"They were tired," Gentry said. "They'd worked hard all day, all season long, and had been battling with self-confidence and accepting how they are. I told them, they're worth more than this. They'd gotten into that feeling of defeat and it was just about finding consistency. Our defense did a great job of getting the ball to our hitters and they did a better job of putting the ball down."

Madison Napierala had 17 assists and Kaili Gentry 30 digs for Kootenai (6-13), which opens at state against Lighthouse Christian on Friday at 7 a.m. PDT.

Mullan finishes the season 9-5.

Kootenai d. Mullan 25-22, 17-25, 25-16, 25-23: Jenna Karpinski had nine kills and 16 digs as the Warriors beat the Tigers in the first championship match. Napierala had 15 assists, Kaili Gentry three blocks and 28 digs, Brook Larson 29 digs for Kootenai in the match.

Mullan d. Lakeside 25-14, 21-25, 25-12, 26-24: The Tigers beat the Knights in the first semifinal match to advance to the championship match.

Kootenai d. Lakeside 25-17, 23-25, 27-25, 25-12: Lacy Goodson had 24 digs, McInturff seven kills and five blocks, Karpinski 14 kills and Paxton Dotson 21 assists for the Warriors in a loser-out match against the Knights.

Cailyn Dohrman had 11 kills, nine blocks and four aces, Talia Hendrickx 10 kills and six aces, Te'a Lambert three kills and 13 aces, Sarah Daman two blocks and four aces and Sativa Bohlman two aces for Lakeside on Saturday.

"We just had a young team this year," Lakeside co-coach Kellee Johnson said. "Going into districts was a little overwhelming for them, but it was a learning experience. The girls did a good job."

Kootenai d. Clark Fork 25-16, 25-20, 25-16: McInturff had eight kills and three blocks, Napierala 16 assists and 12 digs and Kaili Gentry 15 digs for the Warriors in a loser-out match against the Wampus Cats.

Nona Young had four aces and three assists, Sarah Holderman two blocks for Clark Fork, which finished 3-16.

"We may not be going to state, but that doesn't mean next year we won't," first-year Clark Fork coach Courtenay Kiebert said. "I'm very proud of the girls, they improved and worked hard every day. Our serving and passing was strong, we improved on that, and started to make smarter decisions."