THE FRONT ROW with MARK NELKE: Cleaning out the notebook from state volleyball

Natalie Kiefer returned to her alma mater to coach a volleyball match, and the memories returned as well. 

Kiefer, in her third season as head coach at Coeur du Christ Academy, brought her Saints team to Coeur d’Alene High for a state play-in match against St. John Bosco Academy of Cottonwood. 

“It was a practice gym when it was freshly built, and I was here; it was not our main gym,” recalled Kiefer, the former Natalie Stewart, who starred for the Vikings, graduating in 2009, then later played at NAIA Carroll College in Helena, Mont. 

SITTING JUST feet behind Kiefer at the play-in match was her high school coach, Carly Curtis, who was helping out at the scorer’s table.  

“I was just reflecting on my college coach as well,” Kiefer said. “And to play consistently for the same couple of coaches over the course of eight years, it was fun to reflect on how they formed me as a player, and how that improved me as a coach. It was always this massive positivity as a coach, and I realize how much I carry that into my coaching. I’m not going to be a hard-nosed person that’s yelling at my players. I’m going to be into encouragement.” 

Before the play-in match, Curtis brought out the poster of the 2008 Coeur d’Alene High volleyball team, with Kiefer on it, and showed it to the Coeur du Christ team and told them about Kiefer and that team. 

A few days earlier, Curtis emphasized smiling during her Vikings’ win in the regional championship match, a focus on keeping things light and positive. 

“The reason we’re out here is because it’s a fun sport,” Kiefer said. “It’s a high-energy sport; short, fast plays, really explosive ... it’s all about this momentum and this energy swing, and I feel like I got a lot of that coaching energy from Carly.” 

From her spot a few feet away, Curtis was equally proud of Kiefer. 

“I thought she did a great job with her team,” Curtis said. “You could tell the girls valued her knowledge and her positive attitude. I always knew she had the personality and knowledge base to coach. Natalie has a passion for the game and It’s great to see her share her experience with the girls in our community.” 

STATE VOLLEYBALL was held for the first time at the Mountain America Center in Idaho Falls, which opened in 2022, and hosted the 6A and 5A tournaments. 

The venue received praise at Tuesday’s Idaho High School Activities Association board meeting. 

Local coaches who competed there had mixed reviews. 

“Overall, I liked the facility, “6A Coeur d’Alene coach Carly Curtis said. “They did try to make it feel more like we had our own arena. The announcing was separate (from the 5A tournament), they had a large curtain to separate the courts and there was plenty of seating. The facility was decorated specifically for volleyball and the hosting team was very kind.   

“There were some issues with getting around the facility -- a lot of barricades and security,” Curtis added. “I felt it was a little unnecessary. There was a little drop-off on the edge of the floor that definitely needs to be addressed for next time.” 

Said coach Kelsie Badger of 5A Lakeland: 

“Actually, I didn’t like the facility at all. The court wasn’t big enough and was a huge safety concern for all teams. The 5A was on the far side of the arena so to use the bathroom we had to run back to the locker room instead of using the bathrooms closest to us because they were blocked off. The facility felt empty until Saturday. Because spectators were not allowed on the floor it made it hard for us to see our families because all areas were blocked off with security. 

“Also another concern is that no northern districts were represented (with) officials,” Badger added. 

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 208-664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at mnelke@cdapress.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @CdAPressSports.