PREP VOLLEYBALL: Kellogg, St. Maries to play for district title

KELLOGG — The top-seeded Kellogg Wildcats and second seed St. Maries Lumberjacks won their first-round matches Monday at the 3A District 1-2 volleyball tournament at Andrews Gymnasium.

Kellogg beat Priest River 25-23, 25-18, 22-25, 25-23, and St. Maries defeated third seed Orofino 25-11, 25-22, 25-20.

On Wednesday at Kellogg, Kellogg (11-4) and St. Maries (17-7) will meet at 4 p.m. for the district title and a berth to state Oct. 27-28 at Lakeland High. Priest River and Orofino play at 5:30 in a loser-out match, with the winner playing the Kellogg-St. Maries winner at 7 for second place and a spot in a Saturday state play-in match.

Earlier Monday, Priest River beat Grangeville in a loser-out match.

Maddie Cheney had 13 kills, Brielle Hei 24 digs for Kellogg against Priest River. Dani Hendrickson 18 assists and five aces, Emily Coe two blocks and five aces for the Wildcats.

St. Maries got 20 assists, five aces and two blocks from Lily Daniel in its win over Orofino. Ava Stancil had four kills and seven digs, Mia Asbury four kills, six digs and two blocks, Naomi Mueller six kills, Allie Zook six digs for the Lumberjacks.

“Proud of my team tonight … they really focused on some areas we have been struggling with,” St. Maries coach Rachele Fischer said. “Stayed positive and kept the intensity, and had consistent play and didn’t let Orofino go on long point runs, and reversed the momentum. Was a good win for us. Now to stay focused and keep that going for the championship game on Wednesday. I’m excited for my team, they are not on a roller coaster — they’re a freight train.”

For Orofino, Rilee Diffin had seven kills and three aces, Jocelyn Josephson three blocks.

3A DISTRICT 1

Bonners Ferry d.

Timberlake

SPIRIT LAKE — The second-seeded Badgers upended the top-seeded Tigers 25-16, 25-11, 25-19 in the first of a best-of-3 series for the district title and the district’s lone berth to state.

Jesi Kitchin had four digs, three kills and one ace for Timberlake (4-12). Izzy Torr had five digs, Diana Nelson four kills and two blocks, Linley Howard six kills and one block, Sophia Soumas six assists.

Timberlake plays host to Bonners Ferry on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. for the second match.