Timberlake fights back for fourth

COEUR d’ALENE — They fought until the bitter end.

Despite falling in four sets to finish fourth in the state 3A volleyball tournament on Saturday, you won’t find many that upset with that finish for the Timberlake program.

“I’m pleased with how we played for the most part,” said Timberlake coach Michelle Garwood, who started the program in 1998. “There was some good teams here. To end up where we did, we’re not big or the biggest hitters, but I’d put my defense up against anyone in this tournament and they’d hold their own.

Kenzie Dean had 15 kills, seven digs and one ace for the Tigers in a 25-20, 25-20, 23-25, 25-15 loss to Kimberly at Lake City High. It is the second fourth-place finish at state for Timberlake (2003), which finished third in 2005 and runner-up in 2016.

“They’re a great group of kids and knew what they had to face,” Garwood said of fighting back after losing in the opening round to Kimberly on Friday. “It doesn’t take much to motivate them. They just knew they had to come out and take care of business. We don’t have much to complain about with where we finished.”

Dean agreed.

“It feels pretty great,” said Dean of fourth place. “We lost a lot of great players off last year’s team. Everyone had their shining moments this year and did really well.”

McKeeley Tonkin had eight kills and 20 assists, Kylie Marneris 14 digs and Graci Allen five kills and two blocks for Timberlake, which finishes 18-20.

“I don’t think we were really worried about where we finished this weekend,” Dean said. “We battled until the end. It was a great season, and I’m really pleased with how it ended.”

Dean and Tonkin will be seniors next fall, Marneris a junior.

“We’ll still be pretty good next year,” Dean said. “I’m really excited for the future.”