PREP VOLLEYBALL: Kootenai sweeps Clark Fork for 1A Division II state bid

| October 20, 2016 9:00 PM

SPIRIT LAKE — Michaela LaFountaine had 13 kills, five blocks and 16 digs and Brook Larson had 12 kills, 23 digs and three aces for the top-seeded Kootenai Warriors, which claimed the 1A Division II District 1 tournament volleyball championship with a 25-22, 25-18, 25-21 win over the second-seeded Clark Fork Wampus Cats at Timberlake High on Wednesday.

Kootenai (20-3) advances to the state tournament starting next Friday at Rigby High. They will face the runner-up from District 4 in the opening round.

Paxton Dotson had 31 assists, Kaili Gentry 24 kills, six blocks and 14 digs, Rachael Riley 15 kills and six digs for Kootenai in the tournament.

“They have worked so hard this season and I cannot express how proud I am of them,” Kootenai coach Mary Gentry said. “Not just because of their athletic capabilities, but more so for their mindsets in being so selfless in putting each other first.”

The Warriors advanced after sweeping Genesis Prep 25-18, 25-10, 25-6 in a semifinal game. LaFountaine, Dotson, Napierala, Riley, Larson and Gentry were named to the all-league team after the championship match. Genesis Prep finished 4-9

Clark Fork reached the championship game by beating Lakeside 25-21, 26-24, 17-25, 20-25, 15-10. The Knights finish 10-5.

The Wampus Cats (11-10) face the District 2 runner-up in a state play-in match at Bear Den in Moscow on Saturday.

Clark Fork’s Brooke Stevens was also named to the all-league team. Lakeside’s Lillian Rhea was named the Most Valuable Player, with Tea’ Lambert and Sarah Daman also selected for the Knights.

Joining the all-league team were Wallace’s Maryssa Hogamier and Destiny Angle and Mullan’s Yazmin Galloway and Andie Auger.