Cardinals down Walla Walla to open NWAC play

COEUR d’ALENE — Kayla Neumann had 24 kills and 11 digs to lead North Idaho College to a 25-14, 25-17, 21-25, 25-23 win over the Walla Walla Warriors in the Northwest Athletic Conference East Region opener for both schools at Christianson Gym on Tuesday night.

“Both Hailee and Kayla were outstanding and led the team tonight,” NIC coach Kelsey Stanley said. “The team had so many blocks (eight) and slow downs, that we were able to utilize that and attack from any angle. We struggled a little in the third set, but I was happy with how the girls rebounded and came back to finish it off.”

Hailee Etter had 16 kills and nine digs, Haylee Templeton 51 assists and 16 digs for NIC (7-5), which competes in the Lower Columbia College tournament on Friday and Saturday in Longview, Wash.

Morgan Ness had 14 kills and 10 digs for Walla Walla (13-4, 0-1).