Clark Fork holds off Priest River in four sets
Sophomore Emily Myers serves during Saturday's match against Priest River.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Junior Taylor Staley elevates for a kill during Saturday's match.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Junior Caiya Yanik attempts to block a hit by Priest River on Saturday night at CFHS.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Junior Katelyn Matteson goes up for a block during Saturday's match.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
CLARK FORK — Clark Fork volleyball took down 3A Priest River in four sets Saturday night, 25-22, 25-20, 20-25, 25-18.
This is the Lady Cats second win over a 3A Intermountain League opponent this season. Clark Fork defeated Bonners Ferry in five sets on Sept. 3.
Head coach Michelle Valliere was proud her team walked away with a victory, but she admitted they weren't at their best.
"We were just kind of off," she said. "They played so well on Thursday against Noxon. They just brought it and they just played so good. I don't know if they were just a little tired from that, but we were just not ourselves tonight."
Priest River stormed out to a 16-8 lead in the first set and then Clark Fork woke up. The Lady Cats grabbed their first lead of the set at 23-22 and junior Caiya Yanik hit an ace to seal the game for Clark Fork.
The Lady Cats were able to carry some momentum into the second set and controlled most of the game to put the Spartans in a 2-0 hole.
Priest River didn't go away quietly in the third set. The Spartans jumped out to a commanding 21-6 advantage. Clark Fork made a late run, but it was too late and Priest River extended the match.
The Lady Cats finally put it all together in the fourth set and cruised to their fourth win of the season.
"I felt like our passing was pretty good tonight," Valliere said. "Our hitting was a little bit off and I feel like that's what kind of lost that third set for us. I was glad to see them kind of reel that in and start making smarter plays with their hits. I felt like we took a lot more control in that fourth game."
Yanik led Clark Fork with eight kills and four blocks. Sophomore Paige Valliere had 21 assists and Emily Myers tallied eight digs.
Josie Booth had seven kills for the Spartans and Ona Rose added six aces.
Priest River opened the season this past Tuesday and has played four matches in five days. Head coach Meagan Mize said her team is still shaking off the cobwebs, but she saw some great things from them Saturday night.
"I think they played really well," the first-year coach said. "We have a really young team so that's part of it. A lot of power in volleyball comes from the mental aspect and that just takes time and maturity."
Clark Fork (4-1) hosts Kootenai for homecoming at 6 p.m. Tuesday while Priest River (1-3) hosts Timberlake at 7 p.m. Monday.
