Priest River volleyball nearly notches first IML win

PRIEST RIVER — The first Intermountain League victory for Spartan volleyball this season was within their grasp Tuesday night, but unfortunately they let it slip away.

Priest River lost in five sets to Bonners Ferry, 23-25, 25-17, 24-26, 25-13, 15-8.

The Spartans had a chance to close out the match in the fourth set, but it got away from them.

"We should have taken it in four," head coach Meagan Mize said. "Instead we made way too many mistakes and got down on ourselves and beat ourselves, so it's really frustrating."

"They played amazing tonight until they got in their heads in the fourth game," she said.

Mize said the hardest part about coaching volleyball is watching the momentum shift and knowing there's nothing you can do about it.

"I can tell them every inspirational quote and try to pump them up as much as possible," she said, "but they are the ones that have to take it to the floor and use it."

Despite the loss, Mize said she has seen huge improvement from her team over the past couple weeks and she's proud of the effort they give every match.

Senior Josie Booth led the team with 11 kills, junior Ona Rose had seven and sophomore Addisen Kingery and freshman Allyson Barton each tallied six. Barton also had four digs and three blocks and sophomore Abigail Shockey added 27 assists.

The Spartans (1-7, 0-4) head to Coeur d'Alene Charter at 6 p.m. Thursday.