Bonners Ferry hosts tournament Saturday; drops several league games

The Badgers volleyball team hosted a tournament on Saturday.

Eight teams from  Idaho and Montana visited Bonners Ferry.

Stillwater Christian won the varsity tournament and Lakeland won the junior varsity tournament.

Coach Janis Tucker was pleased with the performance of the Badgers after a tough week of league play.

“We are passing serve more efficiently and getting more touches on the block to slow the hits down so we can dig,” said Tucker.

“Our digging has improved for those hits coming around the block. Tessa Payne had 100 percent serving, and Ivy Dirks not only set well, but she also served tough.”

During the tournament Mattea Bertling had 12 kills, Payne had 12 kills, seven aces and five blocks. Dirks had five aces and 50 assists. Ally Merrifield had 11 kills and 33 digs and Jordan Grapensteter had 17 digs.

Last Thursday Priest River defeated Bonners Ferry in league match 10-15, 17-25, 17-25.

Tucker said the Badgers struggled with serve receive and hitting errors.

Dirks  had nine assists,  Bertling had six kills, two ace serves and two blocks. Merrifield had five  kills. 

“We are suffered this week with a couple of injuries, Tessa Payne and Jailee Foster so they both saw limited time this week,” said Tucker. Both were back for the Bonners Ferry tournament.”

Timberlake defeated the Badger girls volleyball team last Tuesday in league match scoring  9-25, 19-25, 12-25.

“Once again the girls struggled throughout the match with serve receive errors and hitting errors,” said Tucker.

Tucker said with only one game this week the Badgers are ready for  a few practices to focus on their weaknesses.

The varsity volleyball team plays at 6:30 p.m., against Kellogg today at home.