Martin leads Bulldog trio on All-IEL volleyball team

SANDPOINT — Junior outside hitter Taylor Martin unloaded on some of the most powerful kills in North Idaho, earning her Most Valuable Player honors on the 4A All-Inland Empire League volleyball team, as voted on recently by the league’s coaches.

Martin finished with a team-high 252 kills, hitting at a .213 percentage, while also posting 189 digs and 42 service aces. Her all-around game and raw power will make her one of the top players in the state next year as a senior.

Also named to the team from Sandpoint were senior outside hitter Hannah Neumann and senior libero Mariah Kluver.

Neumann rarely left the court, making her presence known with solid back row play as well as timely kills from the edges. She finished with 246 kills with a .227 hitting percentage, also posting 235 digs, 29 aces and two blocks, showing versatility in all aspects of the game.

Kluver anchored the back two with some spirited play, leading the team with 325 digs and keeping balls alive with her hustle. Kluver featured a jump serve that resulted in 41 aces and plenty of long service runs.

4A All-IEL volleyball

• Player of the Year — Taylor Martin, sr., Sandpoint

• Defensive Player of the Year — Erin Kwiatkowski, so., Moscow

• Coach of the Year — Ryan Hoffman, Moscow

SANDPOINT — Mariah Kluver, sr., Hannah Neuman, sr. MOSCOW — Rachel Smith, sr., Ashley Mansil, sr. LAKELAND — Haley Rotchford, jr., Kelly Ramus, sr