Search, Neumann earn All-IEL volleyball honors
SANDPOINT — A quick perusal of the season stats for Sandpoint and it’s easy to see why junior setter Laney Search was named Most Valuable Player of the 4A All-Inland Empire League, as voted on recently by the league’s coaches.
It was also fitting that Search joined junior outside hitter Kayla Neumann as the only Bulldogs to make the team, as the two were key members of both the offense and defense this season.
Search played much bigger than her 5-foot-5 height, earning the nickname Leapin’ Laney from head coach Erin Roos. She excelled in nearly every facet of the game, posting strong season numbers across the board with at team-high 503 sets, 294 digs and 65 aces. That she also posted 228 kills and 20 blocks shows the versatility she brings to the floor.
“She was named league MVP because she does it all,” said Roos, noting she also led the team in hitting percentage at 23 percent. “She is not only a natural team leader, but also our statistical leader in multiple categories.”
Neumann earned her spot on the team with similarly versatile play, leading the team with 282 kills, to go with 36 aces and 281 digs, a rare player that excels in both rows. When sets got tight, and they did often for the young team, the Bulldogs leaned on the experience of Neumann, who brought some serious power and force to the hitting game.
All told she took 910 swings on the year, more than twice as many as any other Bulldog, while posting more than 19 kills in four matches this season. The 6-0 outside hitter will be one of the top players in North Idaho next year.
“Kayla Neumann is a talented volleyball player who carried her team offensively this season. She led the team in kills, but also had the highest passing average,” described Roos. “She not only pounds the ball, but also has great ball control in the back row.”
The two players will anchor an emerging team next year, as the Bulldogs will look to return to state.
“Laney and Kayla were our go-to weapons. Our opponents and their coaches new them by name, and devised their game plans around how to shut them down,” said Roos. “They’ve both earned a lot of respect in the league for their hard work, heavy load, and smart play.”
4A All-Inland Empire League volleyball team
• Most Valuable Player — Laney Search, Spt, Jr.
• Defensive Player of the Year — Erin Kwiatkowski, Mos, Sr.
• Coach of the Year — Ryan Hofman, Mos.
All-league: Sierra Mayberry, LL, Sr.; Brooklyn Bunch, LL, Sr.; Gracey Meyer, Mos, So.; Taylor Murphy, Mos, Sr.; Kayla Neumann, Spt, Jr.; Berlyn Needham, Mos, Sr.