Sandpoint wins twice, still alive at state
COEUR d’ALENE — The Sandpoint volleyball team conquered any state jitters and came out firing on all cylinders Friday morning in the opening match of the 4A state volleyball championships at Lake City High School, nothing a solid win over Bishop Kelly.
Outside hitters Hannah Neumann and Taylor Martin each hammered 17 kills, as the Bulldogs played loose and confident in a 25-21, 21-25, 25-15, 25-19 win over Bishop Kelly.
Bulldogs head coach Karen Alsager was pleased with the force and power of the kills from her two big hitters.
“It’s not just a kill, it’s an emotional thing for the other team,” said Alsager. “It’s almost worth two points, psychologically.”
Save for an eight point run from the Knights in the second set, the Bulldogs were in control from the very first point.
“You just don’t know what’s going to happen at state,” admitted Alsager. “You can be nervous and have too much adrenaline. We came out strong.”
Emma Liband added 10 kills and three blocks, Hailey Dunn 28 assists, Kennedy Search 20 assists and Mariah Kluver 19 digs, as the passing and setting game was sharp for the Bulldogs, who led throughout.
The Knights (31-9) are coached by former Sandpoint and Boise State volleyball player Allison Sletager, and Sandpoint natives Bruce and Patsy were on hand to support their daughter.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the 4A bracket is absolutely loaded, and the second round semi-finals pitted Sandpoint against perennial state power Bonneville. Right next to them, playing at the same time, were Skyview and Century, and the argument could easily be made that the three best teams in the state were in action at the same time.
The Bulldogs (25-12) started strong against the Bees, and had a shot at winning the first set, when the Bees (33-6) took control and cruised to a 25-18, 25-12, 25-19 straight set win.
Martin posted nine kills and 12 digs in defeat, while Neumann added six kills and 12 digs, Dunn 11 assists, Search 10 assists and Liband three blocks.
Sandpoint had trouble getting into an offense against the power-serving Bees, and could never seem to find the same rhythm they flashed earlier in the day. Bonneville had very few weaknesses, and kept countless points alive that looked to be won by the Bulldogs.
“We started out so strong, in a groove, and then all of the sudden it just turned. We had a mental breakdown,” said Alsager. “We knew we would have to be on our top game to go far in this tourney.”
The Bulldogs faced Canyon Ridge for their third match of the day in the consolation bracket, winning 25-15, 25-20, 25-20 to remain alive in the hunt for a trophy.
Neumann posted a match-high 13 kills, Martin added seven, Dunn 15 assists and Kluver 15 digs. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the match was the serving of Darby Scrimsher, who tallied eight aces, while Search added another five.
The Bulldogs face Century (39-5) today in the consolation bracket, with first serve slated for 9 a.m. at Lake City High School.