Bulldogs avenge volleyball loss

| September 28, 2006 9:00 PM

Coeur d'Alene — Katie Watson and Piper Wahlen each swatted 10 kills as Sandpoint avenged an earlier five-game loss to Coeur d'Alene with a convincing 17-25, 25-22, 25-19 and 25-23 win over the host Vikings on Thursday.

The emerging Bulldogs (7-3, 5-2) have now won five consecutive games, and coach Karen Alsager believes they still have room to improve.

"I know my team can play good volleyball, they need to believe they can play like that," said Alsager, who believes her team plays tougher on the road sans distractions. "I don't care if it's a 5A team across the net, I think we should win. This win will help."

Savanna Lester had 22 digs, followed by Abby Helander with 21 as the duo continues to make teams work hard for their points. Kortney James led the Bulldogs with 22 set assists.

Kama Griffitts had 14 kills, Natalie Stewart had 39 assists and Lauren Hale led the Vikings (12-8, 5-3 IEL) with 28 digs.

"I thought we actually played well," Vikings coach Carly Curtis said. "Sandpoint is very scrappy, especially defensively. Each game was a pretty tight battle."

Sandpoint looks to make it six in a row when they host Post Falls on Saturday.

? Clark Fork drops nail biter to Coeur d'Alene Charter

COEUR d'ALENE — Katie Baker had 19 kills, and three blocks, and the Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy, which has no football team, beat Clark Fork 20-25, 25-22, 25-17, 19-25, 17-15 in its homecoming match at Holy Family Catholic School.

Shea McHugh added eight kills, two blocks, 10 digs and 14 assists for the Panthers (6-5, 4-2 North Star League). Kalyn Lovlyn had eight kills, nine digs and two aces, Chantel Wilkes had 10 digs, Sarah McHugh 20 assists.

"Good win in a lot of ways," Charter coach Dan Nicklay said. "These girls are really learning to play with some mental toughness. Early in the year we folded when we got down. Tonight we fought back."

Clark Fork dipped to 6-4, 3-3 on the season.

Rayna Allen had seven kills and 27 digs, Megan Hess had 45 digs, Bailey Hewitt had seven kills and five aces, Chelsea Macumber had 15 digs, Moranda Becker had 20 digs and Shaina Gustafson had 15 assists and nine kills for the Cats in the losing effort.