Former Bulldogs tip off college volleyball season

SANDPOINT — Former Sandpoint volleyball standouts Kortney James and Piper Wahlin started practice this week for their respective Big Sky teams.

James, a 5-10 junior setter who has started all but one game in her University of Montana career, is looking to help lead the Grizzlies (11-13, 8-8 Big Sky) to the upper echelon of the conference.

Last year she tallied 811 assists, 195 digs and 52 kills, earning all Big Sky academic honors and also earning a spot on the North Dakota Classic all tournament team.

The Grizzlies open the season on Aug. 24, when they travel to Moscow to face Idaho, Washington State and Pacific in a four-team tournament.

Wahlin, a 5-9 junior outside hitter for Weber State, figures to play a more prominent role in 2012 for the rebuilding Wildcats (3-26, 3-13 Big Sky).

Last year she was fourth on the team with 142 kills and 142 digs, to go with 12 service aces and 14 blocks. She started 11 games last season, and is one of just six returning players for the Wildcats.

Weber State opens its 2012 season on Aug. 24, against the University of Portland during the five-team Utah State Invitational in Logan, Utah. The Wildcats will also face in-state rivals Utah and Utah State during the tournament.

The Wildcats will also participate in the Cougar Challenge, hosted by Washington State in Pullman, Wash., on Aug. 31-Sept. 1.

The two friends played club volleyball for years under Jack Dyck, before going on to become four-year starters under Karen Alsager at Sandpoint High School.

The will face each other two times this season in conference play.