PREP ROUNDUP: Norisada shines as Post Falls wins opener
VOLLEYBALL
SANDPOINT — Senior libero Lexi Norisada had 16 digs and four aces as the Post Falls Trojans, under new/old coach Matt Barkley, opened their season with a 25-14, 25-13, 25-21 nonleague victory over the Sandpoint Bulldogs on Monday night at Les Rogers Court.
Barkley, who coached Post Falls for four seasons (2016-19), replaced Willow Hanna, who resigned after four seasons in her second stint as coach of her alma mater.
Vanessa Kison had six kills and seven digs for Post Falls. Trinity Byrne added five kills and three blocks, Lucy Carr nine assists, Zuri Blood six assists and three aces, Reese DeGraw four blocks.
“I’m really proud of how hard our girls played tonight,” Barkley said. “Lexi Norisada owned the back row tonight, and Lucy Carr and Zuri Blood’s serving kept Sandpoint out of system most of the night. We do have some things to clean up before Thursday night, but I’m very happy about where we’re at after our first match.”
Post Falls travels to Lakeland on Thursday.
Genesis Prep d.
Wallace
WALLACE — Senior Madi Cooper had nine kills, three blocks and two aces as the visiting Jaguars beat the Miners 25-15, 25-19, 24-26, 18-25, 15-11 in the season and Scenic Idaho Conference opener for both teams at Kirby Krulitz Court.
Laya Daniels had eight aces, six kills and four blocks for Genesis Prep, Ella Martin had five kills and five digs, Kinzie Lawler six kills, Pearl Covey 15 digs and three aces.
"It was a great start to our season, and the girls played really well,” Genesis Prep coach Paula Thurston said. “We definitely have some things to work on, but I'm very happy with where we are starting. The girls got a little down in the fourth set, but they battled back and came back strong for the fifth.”
Genesis Prep returns to action next Tuesday at home vs. Kootenai.
BOYS SOCCER
Sandpoint 4
Post Falls 1
SANDPOINT — Luke Leavitt scored once in each half as the host 5A Bulldogs downed the Trojans, playing at the 5A level in soccer, in an Inland Empire League game at War Memorial Field.
It was the league opener for Sandpoint (1-0-1).
Brady Navarette scored in the 35th minute as Post Falls (0-2-0, 0-1-0) trimmed the Bulldogs’ lead to 2-1.
“From our perspective, we definitely came out flat and had a first half that was subpar,” first-year Sandpoint coach Dan Anderson said. “To Post Falls' credit, they came out physical, committed, and pressing us and our boys struggled with that.”
Post Falls travels to Lakeland on Thursday for an IEL game.
First half — 1, Spt, Luke Leavitt (Huxley Hall), 18:00. 2, Spt, Conner McClure (unassisted), 23:00. 3, PF, Brady Navarette (Ryan Miller), 35:00. Second half — 4, Spt, Hall (Pax Longanecker), 47:00. 5, Spt, Leavitt (Jack Treman), 58:0.
Shots on goal: PF 7, Spt 8
Saves: PF, Riley Johnson 4; Spt, Gavan Miles 6.
GIRLS SOCCER
Sandpoint 3
Post Falls 0
POST FALLS — Mackenzie Mitchell scored two goals and visiting 5A Bulldogs defeated the Trojans, playing at the 5A level in soccer this year, in an Inland Empire League game.
The Lady Bulldogs defeated the Lady Trojans 10-0 last year, but this year, Post Falls senior goalkeeper Ellie McGowan returned after taking a year off. She previously played for the Crossfire Premier SC in Seattle.
"She's a great goalkeeper, we're not going to score on her from outside the 18 and I think we felt like we could," first-year Sandpoint coach Alan Brinkmeier said. “Post Falls is always positive, no matter if they're getting scored on or not and I commend that."
Sandpoint is 1-0-1.
It was the season opener for Post Falls, which plays host to Lakeland on Thursday in an IEL game.
Full box score was not available.