3 veterans return for volleyball season

With only three returning players, coach Janis Tucker still has high hopes for her Bonners Ferry High School varsity volleyball team.

“My hopes are always high,” said Tucker. “I think we have a real cohesive group. They play well together on and off the court, and I think that is very beneficial.”

Last year the team placed third in District 1 3A play.

Even though the returning seniors Hayley Olson, Michaela Dirks and Ashley Winkelseth are the team captains, Tucker expects all her players to carry the team.

“Sometimes so much emphasis is put on one or two players in a team,” said Tucker. “You can’t do that in volleyball. You are only as strong as your weakest link. Every team player is key, that’s a team.”

With eight full-time varsity players and three playing both junior varsity and varsity, the team consists of three seniors, five juniors and two sophomores.

After competing in a jamboree on Aug. 26, the Lady Badgers walked away with wins over Priest River 25-23, Kellogg 25- 17 and Timberlake 25-17.

“I was very pleased with what I saw,” said Tucker. “We came out of that with three strong wins. We serve strong, we hit, block and pass well. I was very pleased with how we started the season.”

“We will go districts, it’s just how far we will make in districts,” she continued. “We want fans to come out and watch and we want them to be cheering fans.”

Varsity

Volleyball Schedule

Sept. 8 — Lakeland, home, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9 — Kellogg, home, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 — St. Maries, home 7 p.m.

Sept. 13 — Lakeland Tournament, away, TBA  

Sept. 16 — Newport, away, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 — Orofino, Priest River, home, TBA  

Sept. 20 — BF Tournament Home, 9 a.m.

Sept. 25 — Timberlake, Lakeland, away, 5 p.m.

Oct. 2 — Priest River, away, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4 — Newport, home, 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 7 — St. Maries, away, 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 — Timberlake, home, 7 p.m.

Oct. 11 — Orofino, away, TBA

Oct. 14 — Kellogg, away, 7 p.m.