'Redemption year'

It was a time they say was in the past, something they’d rather not talk about now.

But it’s something that drives the Lake City Timberwolves as they prepare for this week’s state 5A volleyball tournament, which begins Friday and concludes Saturday at Coeur d’Alene High.

“It’s a redemption year,” Lake City High senior middle blocker Kaitlin Hunter said.

Last year, Lake City took a 23-1 record to state at Skyline High in Idaho Falls, with thoughts of bringing home the program’s first state title since the school opened in 1994. The T-Wolves swept Mountain View of Meridian in their opener, then lost to Madison of Rexburg later that day and, that night, lost to 5A Inland Empire League rival Lewiston and was eliminated.

“Just lack of communication, and some of the pressure got to us,” senior middle blocker Zion Nelson said of state last year. “Last year we didn’t get what we wanted, so this year will be a great opportunity to go back and show them what we’ve got.”

This year, with nearly all of the same players back from last year, Lake City also takes a one-loss record (28-1) into state.

This year’s Timberwolves boast talent, experience and depth.

Junior Klaire Mitchell, a three-year starter, runs the show at setter. She has verbally committed to NCAA Division Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.

Lake City has power on the outside in senior Arlaina Stephenson and junior multi-sport standout Ashley Kaufman.

If the defense tries to take the outside hitters away, Nelson, Hunter and junior Claire Heberer are capable options as middle blockers.

Lake City’s defense, led by Mitchell and senior libero Ashley Reyes, lets few balls land on the court.

“That’s how it should be,” Nelson said.

The T-Wolves have plenty of strength off the bench from the likes of junior libero/defensive specialist Reilley Chapman, senior defensive specialist/setter Chloe Knudson, sophomore outside hitter Janae Rayborn and sophomore setter Kiki Cates.

The new face in the program is the coach — Mike Summers, who was head coach at University High in Spokane Valley the past four seasons. He installed a quicker offense, and tweaked the defense.

“The big thing for this year is this group has played really well together, they’ve always stuck together no matter what,” Summers said. “Good energy, good leadership from our seniors, and they just get after it in practice. They want to get better, and they push and challenge each other to get better.”

Getting used to a new coach can be difficult for a team, particularly an experienced one like Lake City. However, the Timberwolves are used to it — this is their fourth head coach in four seasons.

“He has been so awesome,” Nelson said. “I think he has made a really strong relationship with us, and really relates to us.”

“Mike’s a great coach, and he really encourages us,” Hunter said.

Anything else?

“Mike’s bought us Cafe Rio a couple of times, so that’s a plus,” Hunter added.

As it turned out, Lake City opened this season against Lewiston — the team that ousted the T-Wolves from state last year. As much as Lake City might have wanted to downplay the rematch, the T-Wolves had a little extra motivation, and the result was a 25-19, 25-14, 25-14 whipping.

“It’s been our ultimate drive all season, to get back to state and battle and show them what we’ve got this year,” Stephenson said.

Lake City’s only loss this season came to Kuna, at a tournament in Meridian, a match where “we kind of beat ourselves,” Summers said.

At the tourney, the T-Wolves played three teams from the 5A Southern Idaho Conference who eventually qualified for state this week. Lake City beat Centennial, split with host Rocky Mountain and beat Timberline of Boise in the title match.

“In that championship game, battling Timberline point for point, gave us a lot of confidence going forward,” Summers said.

Lake City opens vs. Rocky Mountain (11-5) in its state opener Friday at 9 a.m., and with a win, could face Timberline in the second round.

“We got that experience in Boise, playing in tight games, having to battle through some things and come back in games,” Summers said. “It was really good. We had to earn things. We had to play together, or it wasn’t going to happen.”

Kuna, meanwhile, didn’t make it to state, losing to Post Falls in a play-in match. Still, Lake City may thank Kuna if things go well for the T-Wolves this week.

“That was one of the best things that happened to us, was getting that loss, and getting that bitter taste of what we don’t want to happen (this) week,” Summers said.