Cardinals swept at Spokane

SPOKANE — Sophomore setter Haylee Templeton returned to the starting lineup after missing the previous six matches with a knee injury, finishing with 26 assists for North Idaho College, but the Community Colleges of Spokane came away with a 25-15, 25-22, 25-21 victory over the Cardinals in an Northwest Athletic Conference East Region match at Spokane Falls Community College on Tuesday night.

“Haylee did a great job coming in and running the offense,” NIC coach Kelsey Stanley said. “She showed me tonight that she is ready to get back in, and play, and is able too. Our passing was horrendous. We talked about how important it was that we pass well tonight, and unfortunately we didn’t. It came down to a serving and passing game, and we lost it for ourselves.”

Spokane (33-0, 14-0 NWAC) has clinched a playoff spot and leads Walla Walla (30-5, 11-2) for the East Region title. NIC (22-13, 9-5), in fourth place, hosts Yakima Valley (12-23, 5-9 NWAC) on Friday at 6 p.m., then travels to Treasure Valley (17-15, 9-6) in Ontario, Ore., on Sunday at 11 a.m. PST to conclude the regular season. The top four teams in each region advance to the NWAC Tournament Nov. 15-18 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center.

Kayla Neumann had 13 kills and nine digs, Sydnee Bybee seven kills and Kynzey Mitzel 11 digs for NIC.

Joelle Mahowald had 13 kills, Alisha Straw 30 assists, Taylor Gould 14 assists and Alleana Gallagher nine digs for Spokane.