YOUTH SPORTS: North Idaho Volleyball Club reflects on recent success, new additions to program
The North Idaho Volleyball Club introduced a new U18 boys' program this season. This year's inaugural roster included Lucas Mahlum, Van Lee, Andrew Lehman, Michael Briatta, Finian Markley, Eli Allshouse, Zeb Stoops, Owen Page, Eoin Eddy, Pierce Patterson, Brady Patterson, and Bennett Moran. The crew was coached by Luke Jensen (head) and Traci Markley (assistant).
Photo by Janel Gion Creative Studios
SANDPOINT – The North Idaho Volleyball Club continues to impress throughout the region. In addition to recent success from the organization's various girls’ teams, the new U18 boys’ team has also done well during their inaugural season.
U18 BOYS
This year, NIVBC has added a U18 boys’ team for athletes looking for something fun and active to do during the winter months. The team's season ran from the end of November and will conclude at the end of February. The reason the club chose this time period is because it would not overlap with the fall and spring sports seasons.
Originally, nearly 20 high school boys tried out for the team, with that number eventually being narrowed down to a team of 12 players. The boys have been practicing twice a week and have made tremendous progress, competing against other boy's and men's teams in the area. NIVBC hopes to expand the boys’ program in the coming seasons to hopefully include more age groups.
U17/14/12 GIRLS
Currently, NIVBC has a U17, two U14, and a U12 girls’ team. All of the teams have been working hard, competing in tournaments nearly every weekend. The U-14 Piper team, which is coached by Sandpoint High head coach Piper Wahlin, has had tremendous success recently.
The U14-Piper team has consistently finished among the top at all of their tournaments this season. Recently, the team took second place at Wenatchee’s Fire & Rain Tournament held Saturday, Feb. 10 at Eastmont High. At this tournament, the girls competed against 30 other teams, most of which had athletes who were older and larger in stature. In the championship match, the girls fell just shy in the third set by two points.
Earlier this season, U14-Piper also took second at the Border Showdown Tournament while the U17-John team clinched a second place finish at the Winter Warm-up Tournament.
The girl's teams will continue to compete throughout the winter/spring seasons.
OTHER PROGRAMS
NIVBC offers programs for young children interested in playing volleyball. These programs are called ‘developmental’ and ‘first touches’ and are designed for third through fifth graders and first and second graders, respectively.
“These programs are a wonderful introduction to the sport of volleyball and do a great job setting kids up with the foundational skills they need to be successful in the sport later on,” NIVBC board President Julia Klontz said.
These programs run once in the fall and once in the winter and typically practice twice a week.
MORE INFORMATION
NIVBC board members said they are extremely excited about the future of the program. The club has an experienced and knowledgeable group of coaches and a wonderful group of players and families. For any students interested in playing volleyball for NIVBC, which is a sanctioned Evergreen Region USA Volleyball Club and member of the United States Volleyball Association, visit northidahovolleyball.com and follow the club on social media, at North Idaho Volleyball Club, for more information.
NIVBC has also announced the addition of a beach volleyball program, with more information set to be released soon.