Winkelseth, Olson chosen for league volleyball team

Bonners Ferry seniors Ashley Winkelseth and Hayley Olson were named to the All-Intermountain League Team during 3A District 1-2 volleyball tournament at The Arena in Post Falls.

The Lady Badgers just missed qualifying for the state tournament. After going 2-1 in the district tournament, Bonners Ferry lost to Priest River 17-15, 20-25 and 20-25.

Priest River and St. Maries advanced to the state tournament, which begins Friday at Bonneville High in Idaho Falls.

“We are all disappointed that there is no state trip for us, but felt we made every team work for a win and work for every point,” said Bonners Ferry Coach Janis Tucker.

“I was very proud of the day’s accomplishments,” Tucker continued. “The girls stepped up and played aggressive, tough, together, smart. They played well as a team. Even though they struggled during the St. Maries match, they came back strong.

In the opening round, Bonners Ferry defeated Timberlake 25-22, 25-17, 14-25 and 25-8.

Leaders in the game were Winkelseth with 13 kills, Hayley Olson 29 assists, Winkelseth and Katie Pluid 6 digs each, Pluid and Caitlin Clausen 4 aces and Mikki Erickson 3 blocks.

“(It’s) often difficult to beat a team four times in a season, but (the) Badgers came out strong. Game three got away from them, but the Badgers dominated games one, two and four.”

In the next round, the Lady Badgers fell to St. Maries 11-25, 13-25, 14-25

Winkelseth had 7 kills and 2 ace serves, Olson made 13 assists and Casey Watt had 5 digs.

“(We) let down our guard and didn’t play aggressive enough and struggled with passing,” Tucker said about the game.

Bonners Ferry defeated Kellogg 25-17, 25-14, 16-25 and 25-18. Michaela Dirks had 6 aces and 11 kills, Winkelseth made 10 kills and 2 blocks, Olson had 29 assists and Clausen added 10 digs and 1 block.

“(It was) great to beat a team that has beaten us all through the season and we beat them in four games,” Tucker said. “The girls played tough, smart, aggressive and together.”

In the final game against Priest River, the Lady Badgers lost 17-25, 20-25 and 20-25.

Olson had 17 assists, Winkelseth made 9 kills and 2 blocks, Dirks had 6 digs, and Winkelseth, Clausen and Pluid made 1 ace each.

St. Maries senior Michelle Guidry was named the league’s Most Valuable Player and Priest River’s Kati Bodecker was chosen coach of the year.

3A District 1-2 Tournament

Kellogg d. Orofino 25-12, 27-25, 19-25, 27-25 (loser out)

Bonners Ferry d. Timberlake 22-25, 25-17, 25-8, 25-14 (loser out)

Priest River d. Kellogg 21-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-18

St. Maries d. Bonners Ferry

St. Maries d. Priest River 21-25, 25-20, 25-12, 25-12 (championship, winner to state)

Bonners Ferry d. Kellogg (loser out)

Priest River d. Bonners Ferry 25-17, 25-20, 25-20 (second place, winner to state, loser out)