Coeur D’Alene Nets Volleyball Title Vikings Overwhelm Trojans, End Their Six-Year Drought

It’s been six years since the last Inland Empire League title for the Coeur d’Alene High School volleyball team, but a dominating 15-2, 15-9 victory over visiting Post Falls Tuesday wrapped up the Inland Empire League’s regular-season title for the Vikings.

Although the wait might have been long, few teams have worn the title of champion with as much authority.

Senior hitter Angie Shirley was unstoppable, leading the Vikings with eight kills, six blocks and two aces. With Shirley serving in the first game, Coeur d’Alene ran off eight points without losing serve to take a 11-2 lead over Post Falls, which didn’t score again.

“I was able to serve into areas where I could pick out a person that’s unsure,” Shirley said.

Being unsure on the return-of-serve cost the Trojans in both games as the Vikings rarely needed to rally to win a point.

In the second game, Post Falls relaxed and began to return the ball while rallying behind the hitting of senior Jessica Waltz.

“They relaxed in the second game and dug the ball better,” Trojans coach Karla Merrill said.

The Vikings were just too much though, and answered all Trojans runs behind the passing of senior Kimi Towery and power of Shirley.

“Kimi took control of the game and played as the team leader,” Vikings coach Karla Mitchell said.

Towery ended up with 11 assists and acted as a key to Mitchell’s goal to have her team playing under control. Senior Jessica Janke scored the final point of the game to wrap up the first league title for any of the team’s seven seniors.

“That was so exciting,” Janke said. “We finally have it all to ourselves.”

Shirley, who is being heavily recruited by several Division 1 schools, said after the game that the title hadn’t quite sunk in yet. However, she displayed the ability to look ahead to the real prize the Vikings want.

“I want to win state. That’s all I’m focusing on,” Shirley said.

Bridgette O’Dwyer’s eight kills helped visiting St. Maries (17-5, 9-0) beat second-place Kellogg 15-11, 15-10 and clinch its 16th consecutive Intermountain League title.

Melissa Hei had six kills and 12-of-12 serving for the Wildcats (13-5, 5-3), who trailed the first game 14-7 and the closer 13-6 before mild rallies.

Also in the IML, Jacey Vogrig’s 12 kills and four blocks helped visiting Priest River (8-11, 3-6) over Lakeland 15-5, 7-15, 15-8 at Rathdrum.

Katie Peterson added 12 assists and Christie Coyle seven kills for the Spartans, who jumped from last place to one-half game out of third place in the six-team league. Amber Jamison had 11 kills and two blocks, and Cassie Deyer 10 assists and five digs for the Hawks (8-11, 2-5).

Falls Christian (5-10) beat visiting North Idaho Christian 15-7, 5-15, 15-6 in a non-leaguer at Post Falls. Lisa Freeman had 23 digs, 18 assists and six kills, but the Lions (3-9) served just 71 percent.