Hicks, Slaveck make all league volleyball team

(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY) Senior Jenny Slaveck prepares to hit the ball over the net in a match against Coeur d’Alene on Oct. 8.

(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY) Junior Gabby Hicks goes up for a kill during a match against Coeur d'Alene on Oct. 8.

by Dylan Greene Sports Editor
| November 8, 2019 12:00 AM

(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY) Junior Gabby Hicks goes up for a kill during a match against Coeur d'Alene on Oct. 8.

A pair of Bulldogs were named to the 4A All-Inland Empire League team for the 2019 season.

Senior outside hitter Jenny Slaveck and junior middle blocker Gabby Hicks both received spots on the six girl team that was released Wednesday.

In her final season with the Bulldogs, Slaveck showed how much of an impact she can have on the court. As a captain on the team, her leadership was apparent every time she suited up for the Bulldogs and her play for spoke itself.

Nearly every match, Slaveck led the team in kills and hardly ever came off the court as one of Sandpoint’s best all-around players.

Head coach Karen Alsager said Slaveck is highly deserving of the honor.

“Jenny is not a player that we can replace for next year,” Alsager said. “Even though our record didn’t reflect it, she was a key every night.”

Slaveck will play volleyball in college and Alsager is confident she will continue to be an impactful player on the volleyball court at the next level.

Hicks was a player that stuffed the stat sheet every match offensively and defensively. She was an outspoken leader for the Bulldogs all season despite battling a back injury throughout the year and was menace up front for Sandpoint.

Alsager said she will look to Hicks to fill a leadership role on the team next year with Slaveck graduating.

“[Hicks] had an up and down season due to injuries so a frustrating season for her because she was not 100 percent probably ever ... but that didn’t stop her from giving everything she could on the court,” Alsager said. “But I am so glad she is coming back to be a front row and back row player for us next year because she’s going to give us the height we need at the net for blocking and hitting.”

4A ALL-INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE TEAM

MVP — Katy Ryan, jr., Lakleand

Defensive Player of the Year — Olivia Cooper, jr., Lakeland

Coach of the Year — Kelsey Badger, Lakeland

All-league — Daphne Carroll, jr., Lakeland; Abigail Neff, jr., Lakeland; Payton Claus, sr., Moscow; Izzy Barnes, jr., Moscow; Jenny Slavcek, sr., Sandpoint; Gabby Hicks, sr., Sandpoint.