COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: Lucas ‘setting’ Big Bend CC volleyball up for successful year
Emma Lucas, Big Bend CC Volleyball
During the Vikings’ last four games, Emma, a 2023 Bonners Ferry High graduate, posted 83 assists, 33 digs, two blocks, and a season-high four aces; the four aces all came during a five-set loss to Clark College. In addition to her one block, one ace and 30 digs that she had during Big Bend’s first three games of the season, she also posted 75 assists, including a season-high 33 assists in a 3-1 win over Blue Mountain CC. After the first seven games, in which she has played all 29 sets, Emma has a team-high 158 assists and is second on the team aces (5) and third in digs (63). Big Bend (3-4), which already has more wins than last season, will play Whatcom CC and Highline College on Friday, Pierce College and Skagit Valley CC on Saturday at the Pierce-Highline Invitational which will be held in both Puyallup and Des Moines, Wash.
Jerzie (Pluid) Bair, College of Idaho Volleyball
At the Texas Two Step Invitational this past weekend, Bair, a 2019 Bonners Ferry High graduate, played in 10 sets over four games for the Yotes, recording seven kills, an assist, a dig, and 10 blocks, eight (career-best) which came in a a five-set win over Bethel College (Kansas). The Yotes, which are 4-4 this season, will travel to Southern Oregon on Friday and Oregon Tech on Saturday.
Connor Alexander, Lewis-Clark State College Cross Country
A 2022 graduate of Bonners Ferry High, Connor ran a career-best 6,000-meter time of 19 minutes and five seconds (5:07/mi) and finished 37th out of 103 runners at Clash of the Inland Northwest held this past Saturday in Cheney, Wash. Connor was the fourth runner for the Warriors, who are ranked No. 13 in the NAIA and beat out Division 1 University of Idaho at the meet. Lewis-Clark returns to action Sept. 13 at the Cougar Classic hosted by Washington State University.
Camille Ussher, Lewis-Clark State College Cross Country
Camille, a 2022 Bonners Ferry High graduate who previously competed at Spokane CC, made her debut for the Warriors at the Clash of the Inland Northwest and finished 50th out of 80 runners with a 4,000-meter time of 15:44 (6:19/mi). She was the fifth and final scorer for Lewis-Clark, who finished fifth out of seven scoring teams.
Evan Dickinson, Walla Walla CC Soccer
Evan, a 2023 Sandpoint High graduate has now started all nine games for the 6-2-1 Warriors. In a recent 10-0 win over Pacific Northwest Christian College, he recorded an assist during the 45th minute. Walla Walla, who has the most wins in the NWAC East Region so far this season, will be off until Sept. 14 when they travel to Spokane CC.
Abigail Shumaker, Lewis-Clark State College Cross Country
A 2020 graduate of Bonners Ferry High, Abigail Shumaker (Gorton) ran a career-best 4,000-meter time of 15:18 (6:09/mi) to start off her senior season at Clash of the Inland Northwest. Abigail beat out her previous best time from last year by 41 seconds and was fourth for the Warriors, who are ranked No. 14 in the NAIA.
Brandon Casey, University of Montana Football
Brandon, a 2020 Sandpoint High graduate, made his 31st career start for the Griz in their season-opening 29-24 win over Missouri State. He helped the Griz to 167 rushing yards — 68 more than the visiting Bears — and 180 passing yards. Montana travels to North Dakota this Saturday.
Aubree Lane, Spokane CC Volleyball
In the Sasquatches' season-opening loss to Bellevue College, Lane, a 2024 Sandpoint High graduate, played in two out of three sets, recording two kills, seven serve receptions and three total blocks. Spokane will play Bellevue and Pierce College on Friday, Highline College and Everett CC on Saturday at the Pierce-Highline Invitational.
Connor Alexander
Abigail Shumaker