Bulldogs out at state tourney

KIMBERLY — Unable to ever really find their groove under a more intense first round format, the Sandpoint volleyball team was swept 25-13, 25-23 and 25-20 by Rigby on Friday in the opening round of the 4A volleyball championships at Kimberly High School.

Senior Ariel Moe had a solid all-around game, leading the Bulldogs (15-7) with nine kills, 13 digs and six set assists, Mackenzie Jones added six assists and Kellsey Lester one ace in defeat, in a defeat head coach Karen Alsager called heartbreaking.

“We played very tense, you could just feel how much pressure there was to win this first match or you wouldn’t be in the top four,” said Alsager of the new consolation bracket format at state this year. “We psyched ourselves out and had a lot of errors, not the kind of volleyball Sandpoint usually plays.”

Rigby (35-7) had a lot of firepower and a great block, and is now probably the team to beat in 4A.

The Bulldogs faced Jerome, which lost to Bishop Kelly in the first round, Friday night in the consolation bracket and a chance for fifth place. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs (15-8) couldn’t rebound, falling in a tight five-set match 23-25, 25-17, 25-20, 22-25, 15-10 and ending their season.