Sandpoint volleyball secures first win

LEWISTON — Winless no more. Sandpoint volleyball finally broke through Saturday to claim its first win of the season over Lewiston.

The Bulldogs won in five sets, 20-25, 27-25, 27-25, 17-25, 16-14.

"It just feels good," head coach Karen Alsager said about the team's first win. "It feels like we got that monkey off our back."

Sandpoint's victory in the second set was also the Bulldogs first set win of the season.

"For the most part we really got scrappy and had some big plays to push through," Alsager said. "I think Lewiston was a little surprised by what was going on. It was nice to put another team in that position."

It was a tightly contested match throughout and Sandpoint persevered despite not facing those pressure packed moments so far this season.

"As coaches we believe in them that they can do it, but when it comes down to it, they just have to dig down deep and push past those barriers," Alsager said.

The Bulldogs serving was on point against the Bengals and Alsager said she was really impressed with junior Lauren Breuner who is filling in for injured senior setter CeCe Deprez.

"Lauren did a good job running a 5-1 today," Alsager said. "She stepped in her leadership role and served really well down the stretch."

Breuner had 27 assists and two aces. Gabby Hicks tallied 13 kills, 19 digs, three blocks and two aces, and Bella Phillips had six kills and three blocks. Kinzie Ward notched 21 digs and two aces and Sam Koster added 17 digs.

Sandpoint (1-6, 0-1 IEL) hosts rival Moscow 7 p.m. Tuesday at Les Rogers Court.

"We are so pumped to play them and now we get to come off of a good victory against a 5A," Alsager said. "I think this is the confidence that they needed."