NIC VOLLEYBALL: The chase for NWAC title is on for Cardinals
JASON ELLIOTT/Press North Idaho College sophomore Taylin Rowley attempts to hit past the defense of Tacoma's Sydney Bronson in the second set of Saturday's Northwest Athletic Conference East Regional match at Christianson Gymnasium.
JASON ELLIOTT/Press North Idaho College freshman middle blocker Rylee Hartwig (9) and freshman outside hitter Rachael Stacey (5) jump to prevent a Tacoma kill during Saturday's match at Christianson Gymnasium.
By JASON ELLIOTT
Sports writer
COEUR d’ALENE — In her time at Coeur d’Alene High and now North Idaho College, sophomore setter Taylin Rowley has been chasing something big.
On Saturday, Rowley and the rest of her teammates took one more step toward that goal.
Rowley, a 2019 graduate of Coeur d’Alene, had 16 kills and 13 digs for the top-seeded Cardinals in a 25-14, 25-22, 25-22 win over fourth-seeded Tacoma in the opening round of the Northwest Athletic Conference East Region volleyball tournament at Christianson Gymnasium.
“I missed out on a state title my senior year at CHS,” said Rowley, whose team went 1-2 that year in Post Falls at state. “Winning something big has always been on the bucket list, but it just hasn’t happened for me yet. If we’re going to do it, this is the year.”
“Taylin had an outstanding game today,” NIC coach Kelsey Stanley said. “She was hands down our go-to and she was hard to stop. If she continues to play like this, she’s going to be hard to stop.”
NIC (25-4) has won five straight and will face Lane (21-3) today at 10 a.m. in the regional championship match. Lane beat Everett (18-14) 3-1 in the early match on Saturday. Later, Edmonds eliminated Tacoma 25-23, 23-25, 25-17, 25-23.
“We’ve been pretty good throughout the year, but are starting to be a little more consistent right now,” Stanley said. “With us at the beginning of the year to now, we’re more comfortable with everyone on the court and in what we’re going to do.”
Edmonds (15-17) will face the loser of today’s championship match to determine the second seed to advance from the region.
Freshman middle blocker Rachel Stacey had 10 kills and 11 digs, sophomore setter Abigail Neff (Lakeland High) 36 assists and seven digs and freshman libero Brooklyn Minden (Post Falls) 31 digs for NIC. Sydney Bronson had seven kills and 11 digs, Sarah Lanz 13 digs for Tacoma.
The conference split the tournament into two weekends with the first two rounds being played at the site of the four regional champions, with two teams from each region advancing to the championship site Nov. 18-20 at Pierce College in Lakewood, Wash.
“It’s a game changer,” Stanley said. “Our whole goal this year was to win the conference, because home-court advantage is huge for us because we struggle a little on the road. A lot of teams do. Just to be able to play in front of our families and friends is a huge advantage.”
Against Tacoma, NIC won the first set 25-14. After winning the second 25-22, NIC jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the third set and held on for the sweep.
“We’ve been pretty good throughout the year, but are starting to be a little more consistent right now,” Stanley said. “With us at the beginning of the year to now, we’re more comfortable with everyone on the court and in what we’re going to do.”
NIC lost to Lane 25-23, 19-25, 25-18, 20-25, 15-11 in a crossover tournament on Sept. 16 at Everett Community College.
“They’re a fast tempo team, so we’re going to have to anticipate that,” Stanley said. “They’ve got good players and a good coach. The girls are excited to play them.”
“The confidence we bring is really important,” Rowley said. “In addition to being at home and playing in front of our fans, we want to play with some confidence and make people proud.”
