PREP VOLLEYBALL: Sandpoint defeats Moscow to advance to district championship

Sandpoint 3, Moscow 1

SANDPOINT — After a shaky first set, No. 2 Sandpoint regrouped and defeated No. 3 Moscow, 3-1 (15-25, 25-10, 25-16, 25-20) in the first round of the 4A Inland Empire District Championship held at Les Rogers Court on Tuesday.

Sandpoint found themselves down 13-2 in the first set. Unable to dig out of that hole, the Bulldogs shook it off, regrouped and got ready for set two.

After a couple of key kills from Belen Gonzales and Vivian Platte, the Bulldogs quickly got out to a 10-4 lead in the second set, cruising to a 25-10 set win. It was much of the same in the third and fourth sets, with Sandpoint dominating on every front, able to pull away by large margins.

“We started off shaky tonight letting the weight of the match pull us away from our typically aggressive play, but the team showed tremendous maturity picking themselves back up,” head coach Piper Wahlin said.

Senior Vivian Platte had a team-high 16 kills for the Bulldogs while sophomore Belen Gonzales added eight of her own to go along with two blocks.

“Vivian Platte totally impressed me by pulling herself out of a slow start to total 16 kills and 11 digs,” Wahlin said.

Junior Audrey Petruso and senior Haley Swaim also contributed in big ways for the Bulldogs Tuesday night. Petruso had a team-high 22 digs while Swaim posted a team-high 41 assists and four aces.

“Audrey Petruso settled in and directed the offense and defense so well in the last three sets,” Wahlin said. “Haley Swaim refused to let the match slip out of her grasp. I’m so proud of this group for fighting and winning their last match as a team on their home court.”

Sandpoint (5-10) advances to the 4A IEL District Championship game against Lakeland, which will be held Thursday at Lakeland High School.

- Monday Oct. 16

Priest River 3, Grangeville 1

KELLOGG — After falling to Grangeville, 3-2 in their regular season finale Friday, No. 5 Priest River was able to defeat No. 4 Grangeville, 3-1 in the first round of the 2A Central Idaho District Championship held at Kellogg High School on Monday.

“It was great to come back to Grangeville, now being 2-1 [record-wise] with them,” head coach Katlyn Ward said. “Friday, the girls were exhausted. It was our fourth game in five days, one of those being away at Kellogg. So, our drive times for that week were well over 20 hours … Friday, Grangeville came away with the win, but tonight the girls were refreshed and ready to go.”

After their win Monday afternoon, the Spartans had to face off against Kellogg later that same day.

- Monday Oct. 16

Kellogg 3, Priest River 1

KELLOGG — After a long day, No. 5 Priest River fell to No. 1 Kellogg, 3-1 (23-25, 18-25, 25-22,23-25) in the second round of the 2A Central Idaho District Championship held at Kellogg High School on Monday.

“Even with playing an extra game today, we made Kellogg fight for that win,” Ward said. “All of the matches were close.”

Ward said Raygn Turner, who is just a freshman, stepped up against the Wildcats, making kills at the net and digging tons of hits from Kellogg. Ward also mentioned the outstanding play from sophomore Aleigha Jensen.

“Aleigha Jensen was connecting tonight with her usual blocks,” Ward said. “She’s always a wall up there, but tonight she had more touches and blocks than I’ve seen from her [in other games] this season.”

Priest River finished the season with seven wins, which included wins over Kellogg, Newport (2), Grangeville (2), and 1A powerhouse Genesis Prep (2). This year was the most wins the Spartans had since 2019, when they also had seven.