Cd'A defeats Bulldogs

SANDPOINT — A seesaw battle full of momentum shifts ended with Coeur d'Alene saving their best for last as they defeated Sandpoint 23-25, 27-25, 25-18, 19-25 and 15-6 Thursday night in league action at Les Rogers Court.

Senior Katy Rossner had a stellar game with 14 kills, 17 digs and two service aces to lead the Vikings (2-0, 2-0).

"She had a phenomenal game," said Vikings' coach Carly Curtis. "Last year she was kind of timid. This year she's coming into her own and very confident."

Katie Watson had a big game for the Bulldogs (1-1, 1-1), tallying 12 kills to go along with 28 digs. Savanna Lester added 32 assists as Sandpoint struggled a little defensively.

"The team is still trying to define themselves," said Sandpoint coach Karen Alsager. "Coeur d'Alene played great defense tonight; their defensive plays gave them momentum and they fed off that. We rely on our kills for that and we need to make it happen with defense."

The match was even until the fifth and deciding game, when Coeur d'Alene came out with a lot of energy and took early control of the momentum.

"Our coach always has inspiring words and she said we 'need to win this for ourselves,'" said Rossner of the key to the win. "We really meshed together and pulled it through."

Alsager expects her team to continue to improve as they begin to push through and learn how to win these close matches.

"We know we can win," she said. "But they feel like it's just going to happen."

Julia Witte added 19 assists, Kortney James had 16 and Piper Wahlin had seven kills with only one hitting error — a superb ratio.

Sandpoint plays three matches at the Walla Walla Invitational on Saturday.