Sandpoint rolls to decisive VB win

SANDPOINT - Fresh off a championship at the Walla Walla volleyball tournament, Sandpoint continued to roll with a decisive 25-18, 25-20, 25-14 win Tuesday night over Lake City in Inland Empire League volleyball action at Les Rogers Court.

Piper Wahlin hammered home 10 kills, and Christina Johnson added five kills and three service aces to lead Sandpoint (4-1, 3-1 IEL). Koko James tallied 15 set assists and Abby Helander 15 digs as the Bulldogs led throughout, although head coach Karen Alsager believes her team can play better.

"We got into a really good rhythm at Walla Walla and we didn't have that carry over tonight," she said. "We feel like we can beat most of the teams so we have moments where we don't improve in games."

Alsager praised the play of a trio of sophomores in Sam Buratto, Blake Plaster and Allison Halliday, each of whom received extensive playing time and provided strong contributions.

Lake City (2-2 IEL) was without the services of two of its best players in Alivia Johnson and Dailyn Ball, so head coach Jen Kelly was forced to come up with a new lineup and strategy on the bus ride up.

"Our nucleus wasn't able to do things we need to be doing at this time in the season," said Kelly.

Jacqueline Adamson had 11 assists and six digs, Hilary Ayers eight digs and three aces, and Britta Forsythe five kills to lead the Timberwolves.

Sandpoint is at Lakeland on Thursday.