The Lakeland Hawks defeated the Sandpoint Bulldogs on Oct. 19 at Lakeland High School, allowing them to move on to the state tournament.
Securing this spot was a significant accomplishment for the Hawks volleyball team, as this is ultimately what they have been working towards all season.
The state tournament will be held Oct. 27 and 28 at Post Falls High School. Teams from all corners of Idaho will compete for the state crown.
The close range between Rathdrum and Post Falls gives an advantage to our team. While some teams travel many miles and hours, the Hawks only have to travel a few minutes to the tournament.
Pocatello, Skyline, Bonneville, Vallivue, Canyon Ridge, Skyview, and Twin Falls will be attending state alongside Lakeland.
Up to seven hours of travel will be required from a select few of these teams. This is a long trek across the state, tiring the other teams while simultaneously giving closer teams, such as Coeur d’Alene and Lakeland, a huge advantage.
Not only does this mean Lakeland will have a bigger crowd of fans, but it also gives the LHS volleyball team an easier ride to the courts.
“I personally don’t think there is an advantage. It’s just going to come down to what team wants the state title more and is willing to fight for it,” junior Lexi Levesque said.
While the long travel could be an obstacle that the traveling teams will need to overcome, Levesque does not believe so. Determination and adrenaline can certainly override one’s drowsiness.
Players focus on weaknesses pointed out during their last game against the Bulldogs.
Specific strategies and plays will be put in order by the coaches to strengthen the team’s ability to react quickly.
During their last game, the Hawks were able to adapt easily to Sandpoint’s plays because they had played them earlier in the season, but the state tournament will be different.
The Hawks will be playing teams they have not faced yet. The Hawks will need to be able to interpret plays and pose a good defense against the opposing teams.
Despite any struggles the team will encounter, the Hawks still have the close-distance advantage, which may pose a big help considering they won’t have to wear out on traveling.
As of now, LHS sits at number one in the 4A Inland Empire league. They are also ranked eleventh in the state of Idaho. Coeur d’Alene is just above the Hawks, ranked tenth in the state.
These rankings are favorable and show that the team has what it takes to dominate at the state tournament on Friday and Saturday.
Levesque believes that Skyview will pose the biggest threat in the tournament.
Previously, Landree Simon and Addy Hocking had terrific games, with many kills and digs. If the team goes in with the same determination as they did for the district’s game, the sky is the limit for the Hawks.
“I think that our team has really worked on our tempo of the game and really playing for each other and not just ourselves,” Levesque said.
