'Hungry' Bulldogs punch ticket to state
SANDPOINT — Sandpoint never dropped a set, dispatching Moscow in both matches en route to the 4A Region 1 volleyball championship on Saturday at Les Rogers Court.
The No. 1 seed Bulldogs (22-8) earned a berth to state with the wins, and will face Wood River on Thursday in the 4A tournament opener at Skyline High in Idaho Falls.
Hannah Neumann tallied nine kills, Megan Rockwell seven, Maddie Russo added 14 digs and four aces, Kennedy Search 14 assists and Hailey Dunn two blocks in the championship match, as the Bulldogs were never threatened in an impressive 25-11, 25-12, 25-18 sweep.
"It was very encouraging, everything was clicking," said Bulldogs coach Karen Alsager of the final. "We were serving aces, blocking well, everybody was hitting, I'm glad we ended it that way."
The Bulldogs swept the No. 2 seed Bears (11-15) in the first meeting of the double-elimination tournament earlier in the day, winning 26-24, 25-15, 25-20 in a much closer match. Hailey Olin posted seven kills and Taylor Martin six as the Bulldogs displayed their depth of outside hitters, Search added 19 assists, Neumann 10 digs, Rockwell three blocks and Martin and Kelli Plaster four aces apiece.
Sandpoint senior Beth Lewis, one of five outside hitters capable of ending points in the Bulldogs' attack, said the team is heading down to state brimming with confidence.
"We're playing to win. The seniors want to win it," she said. "We'll have to play with passion and energy."
Last year the Bulldogs went two and out at state, and this year’s seniors are intent on going out on a much higher note this time around.
“We’re all hungry to win,” said Rockwell, who has played in the past two state tournaments. “We need to stay together, stay positive and confident.”
Alsager said depth — at least 10 Bulldogs see time in the regular rotation — and teamwork are what the Bulldogs will hang their hat on at state. She coached the Bulldogs to state titles in 2006 and 2008, but after the past couple of years is taking nothing for granted.
“You always have a chance. We’ll have to play well, we can’t win a match if we don’t,” she said, adding serving will be key. “We need to serve tougher than the last two years we went to state. And we’ll need better blocking at the net.”
No. 3 seed Lakeland (4-26) started the day with a spirited 9-25, 25-20, 17-25, 25-16, 15-9 loss to Moscow, earning the praise of coach Kylee Garitone.
“The girls played phenomenal,” said Garitone, who played a bunch of underclassmen and will lose only three seniors this year. “Lots of energy, heart and hustle.”
The Hawks were swept by the Bears in the loser-out match, falling 25-17, 25-19, 25-19. Kaidan Kelsey tallied eight kills and two blocks on the day, Erin Ogden 32 digs, Morgan Landers eight kills, Kendra Rebal six aces and Kelly Ramus four aces and two blocks in defeat.