State volleyball: Eagle, Rocky Mountain advance to semifinal

The three-time defending 5A state champion Eagle High volleyball team is two wins away from securing its fourth consecutive title.

Eagle (31-3) opened state tournament play Friday with straight-set victories over Madison and Post Falls at Lake City High in Coeur d'Alene. The Mustangs play 5A SIC rival Rocky Mountain in a semifinal match at 1 p.m. Saturday. The 5A title match is set for 6:30 p.m.

Senior Morgan Odale led Eagle with 28 kills, 21 digs and six aces during Friday's matches.

"The first win at the state tournament is the key," Eagle coach Paul Schwager said. "We really focused on being prepared for it and now we are in a good spot."

Rocky Mountain (23-5) also advanced to the semifinal with straight-set wins. The Grizzlies beat Lewiston in the first round and Idaho Falls in the second round.

Centennial lost its first-round match but stayed alive by beating Madison. The Patriots (28-9) play Idaho Falls in a loser-out match at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Borah also lost its first-round match, but the Lions (26-11) stayed alive with a late win over Lewiston. Borah plays Post Falls in an elimination match at 11:30 a.m.

4A

Bonneville and Sandpoint meet in Saturday's semifinal at Post Falls High. District three representatives Kuna and Columbia went 1-1 on Friday and are still alive. The Kavemen and Wildcats play each other at 10 a.m. Saturday in an elimination match.

The 4A state championship match is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

3A

District Three representative Fruitland advanced to Saturday's semifinal with two victories on Friday at Coeur d'Alene High. The Grizzlies (32-8) rolled past Priest River in the opening round and won a four-set match against Kimberly in the second round. Fruitland plays St. Maries in a semifinal match at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The 3A title match is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

2A

Nampa Christian rolled into Saturday's semifinal by beating Soda Springs and Butte County in straight sets Friday at Lakeland High.

Kayla VanderStelt totaled 32 kills and 21 digs during Friday's matches. Jessica Bartlow added 56 assists for the Trojans (18-2), who play District Three rival and defending state champion Parma in a semifinal match at noon Saturday.

Parma (25-6) advanced by beating Grace and West Jefferson in four-set matches on Friday.

The 2A championship match is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday.