Bulldogs fall flat in loss to Moscow

After a barn-burner of a first game, the Bulldogs fell flat, losing in four sets to the Moscow Bears at home of Les Rogers Court, 26-24, 22-25, 19-25, 16-25.

The Bulldogs dominated in the first set, racing out to an 11-4 lead behind powerful serving and strong kills, keeping Moscow off track until the Bears called a time out. Moscow was able to pull within four points, but Sandpoint methodically hammered the ball just out of the reach of the Bears, forcing another time out.

The Bears slowly clawed their way to back to tie the game at 24 before Aubree Lane slammed a kill into the middle of the court to claim the side out and set up Sandpoint to win the first set.

However, the Bulldogs came out flat, allowing the Bears to stake a 9-4 lead. Sandpoint was dogged in its efforts to recoup its earlier drive and pulled close thanks to the kills of Lane, Viv Platte and Hailey Roeder.

After senior Amaya Russell charged into the bench to keep the ball in play, the Bulldogs won the point and tied the game on the next play. The set see-sawed back and forth, with Moscow eventually claiming the set behind the powerful serving of Sam Unger and ability of Jessa Skinner to drop the ball just out of the reach of the diving Bulldogs.

The third set was a repeat of the second with the Bears and Bulldogs. However, behind the strong serving of Moscow's seniors Maecie Robbins, Morgan Claus and Unger, the Bears were able to take the set.

Sandpoint came out with some flair in the fourth set, taking a 8-4 lead thanks to a combination of kills by Platte and Lane. Moscow was able to dig out several balls to tie the game at 9. While the Bulldogs didn't quit, Moscow chipped away, fending off Sandpoint's attempts to pull out the win.

Despite a "fun" first game filled with passion and confidence, Sandpoint coach Karen Alsager said the Bulldogs weren't able to maintain focus.

"At this point, I don't want to give excuses about it," Alsager said. "We've talked about it to death and right now they've just got to get it done and we've got to do more than one good game."

Alsager said pulled the Bulldogs into the locker room after the first set in an effort to help maintain focus. However, despite the effort, the Bulldogs weren't able to stay composed the rest of the game, she said.

"At some point in time, they need to have the maturity to be able to play passionate the whole time," Alsager said.

Alsager praised Lane's play, saying the junior improves with each game and is developing into a strong leader for the Bulldogs.

"She's a key player for us this year," she said.

Lane led the Bulldogs with 16 kills, followed by Viv Platte with 14 and Hailey Roeder with 13. Leading the Bulldogs in set assist was Haley Swaim with 44.

Platte had three blocks.

Swaim, Platte and Haley McAuliffe each had two aces for Sandpoint.