Colville wins high-powered Lakeland Invitational

September 14, 2011

Leanna Carr sets for Ashley Knight.

It’s something of a testament to how talented the current Colville High volleyball team is when the Indians annex the high-powered Lakeland Invitational championship and coach Missy Bennett says her team didn’t play as well as it could have.
It’s only September.
Next to the Crossover Tournament, the annual Lakeland Invitational likely has the best field of any tournament the Indians will play in this fall.
Okay, the State 1A Tournament counts for something. After all, this team has some lofty goals this fall.
The Lakeland Invite included a host of Greater Spokane League clubs, a talented team from La Jolla, CA and Idaho power Sandpoint, among others.
“One of our goals was to win the tournament,” Bennett said of the Indians, who finished second at Lakeland last fall. “We played well, but not great. And that’s okay.
“There are reasons for that…it’s obvious that we still have things to work on. It’s early in the season.”
THIS WEEK
Colville, who hosted their annual Jamboree back on Sept. 6, will travel to Cheney on Thursday to play old Great Northern League nemesis Cheney in a non-league match-up. That match starts at 6:30 p.m.
Next Monday, Colville will host perennial GSL power Shadle Park in the Indians’ home opener. Bennett is hoping for a big house.
“I would love to fill the gym for the Shadle match,” Bennett said.
It’s been awhile since CHS has played a non-league opponent the likes of Shadle Park. Okay, last season.
The Indians will get the Northeast A League portion of their schedule underway on Tuesday when they travel to Newport. That match is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. start.
LAKELAND RECAP
The high-powered Lakeland tournament included teams from North Central, Pullman, Ferris, Priest River, Lake City, La Jolla, CA, Moscow, Kellogg, Post Falls, St. Maries, Sand¬point, Coeur d’ Alene, Deer Park, Lewiston, Bonners Ferry, Gonzaga Prep, Lewis & Clark and Cheney.
In Colville’s opener, the Indians downed North Central 25-14, 25-18 and Lake City (Coeur d’ Alene) 25-16, 24-26, 15-10 in pool play.
In the tournament proper, CHS beat Sandpoint 25-19, 20-25, 15-13 and La Jolla 25-22, 25-22 before dispatching Post Falls in the title match-up, 25-23, 24-26, 15-5.
Four Colville players were named to the All-Tournament team: Leanna Carr, Joellee Buckner, Ashley Knight and Jacy Vining.
Bennett added that sophomore Sadie Learn could have made that team.
“I thought Sadie had a great tournament,” Bennett said.