Cardinals sweep Big Bend
LOREN BENOIT/Press North Idaho College midfielder Natalie Goetz, a Coeur d’Alene Charter product, and Yakima Valley’s Persia Anderson, a Post Falls product, fight for the ball at midfield during Wednesday’s match at Eisenwinter Field in Coeur d’Alene. NIC won 1-0.
LOREN BENOIT/PressNorth Idaho College forward Brooklyn Rankin dribbles the ball to midfield in a match against Yakima Valley College Wednesday evening at NIC. NIC won 1-0.
LOREN BENOIT/PressLinnea Pretzer dribbles the ball in open space against Yakima Valley College Wednesday evening. NIC won 1-0.
LOREN BENOIT/PressNorth Idaho College midfielder Ellory Ferris creates space between the ball and Yakima Valley's Courtney Abrams. NIC won 1-0.
LOREN BENOIT/PressNorth Idaho College's Brooklyn Rankin takes the ball away from Yakima Valley's Courtney Ahn during Wednesday's match at NIC. NIC won 1-0.
LOREN BENOIT/PressNorth Idaho College midfielder Ellory Ferris dribbles the ball away from Yakima Valley's Courtney Abrams during Wednesday's match at NIC. NIC won 1-0.
LOREN BENOIT/PressAn official raises a flag.
• VOLLEYBALL
COEUR d’ALENE — They might have started out slow in Wednesday’s East Region volleyball opener, but that finish will be something that North Idaho College will be looking for more of this season.
Halle Hess had 10 kills and eight digs and Haylee Templeton had 37 assists for the Cardinals in a 25-14, 25-10, 25-7 win over the Big Bend Vikings at Christianson Gym.
“We started off slow, but made up for it the last two games,” NIC coach Kelsey Stanley said. “The first home opener is always interesting and you never know how the girls will come out and play. We play Treasure Valley (tonight), so I’m hoping to see better ball control and consistency with our offense.”
Hailee Etter had eight kills and Sandpoint product Kayla Neumann nine kills and two digs, Rachel Leshikar 10 digs for NIC (11-4), which hosts Treasure Valley tonight.
Big Bend is 0-9.
• WOMEN’S SOCCER
North Idaho 1
Yakima Valley 0
COEUR d’ALENE — Kinzie Hunter stopped eights shots for the Cardinals, some coming against Lakeland High product Harley Hendry in their East Region opener at Eisenwinter Field.
“Kinzie was outstanding today,” NIC coach Dan Hogan said. “It was a back and forth contest with neither team getting into any kind of rhythm.”
The lone goal occurred just after the start of the second half on an own goal by Yakima Valley in the 48th minute.
NIC (3-2) travels to Wenatchee Valley on Saturday.
Yakima Valley is 2-1-1, 0-1-1.
First half — none. Second half — 1, NIC, own goal, 48:00.
Shots on goal — YVCC 13, NIC 11.
Saves — YVCC, Addy Eckstrom 6; NIC, Kinzie Hunter 8.