Slaveck's consistency, Hicks' heroics give SHS win over Post Falls

SANDPOINT ­— The Bulldogs jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, held off a comeback attempt from Post Falls, then relied on junior Gabby Hicks’ serving to seal the deal in a 25-19, 25-23, 14-25, 10-25, 16-14 win on opening night.

“We came out of the gate incredibly strong ­— probably stronger than I anticipated,” Alsager said. “It’s such a strange victory because we did so many things differently from what we do in practice. There were moments of it, but I’m kind of excited.”

The Bulldogs were led for the majority of the game by senior Jenny Slaveck’s all-around nine digs, two block and one ace night. Down 15-8 midway through the second set, the senior’s work at the net sparked a 7-3 run that eventually led to the Bulldogs’ 25-23 come-from-behind win.

“Jenny’s just an all-around player,” Alsager said. “She never left the court all night. I don’t anticipate that happening to her because all of her ball control and every skill of hers is strong. It’s fun that we can rely on a player like that for so much.”

Post Falls rallied back in the third set, as Sophomore Brielle Nagel’s three straight aces in the third set turned the tide for the Trojans. Post Falls’ defense kept Slaveck and Hicks in check, while costly Sandpoint’s costly errors at the net gave the visitors an added lift.

Just as it looked like the Trojans would run away with it in the final set, the Bulldogs dug themselves out of a 4-1 hole thanks to a few blocks from junior Bella Phillips.

Then the inexperienced Sandpoint roster faced its first test of the season.

Trailing 14-13 after a Post Falls ace, Hicks dropped a serve in the middle of the Trojans’ defense, sending two defenders diving. The Bulldogs called a timeout to regroup.

With the game in the balance, Hicks’ calmly served up back-to-back aces for the win.

“That was a lot of pressure for her to go back and nail that serve, so that was impressive,” Alsager said.

CeCe Deprez was a constant force in both her serve and in the middle, notching a team-high 14 digs while fellow junior Kaylee Banks led the team in her first varsity game with 12 set assists.

“I’m relieved that we came out of a win,” Alsager said. “I’m not sure if we necessarily played better than Post Falls, but we came out with a win.”

Sandpoint’s next game will be at Bonners Ferry next Tuesday at 7 p.m.