Arlee wraps up successful volleyball season

BUTTE - Arlee had stiff competition as they played last year's state tournament third-place team Gardiner on Thursday in the first round of the divisional tournament.

"Going into Thursday's match, we knew it was playing against the top seed," Arlee head coach Brian Big Sam said. "All six of their starters were willing to move."

Gardiner handed Arlee a 3-0 opening round loss with scores of 25-13, 25-6 and 25-13 despite seven kills, five assists and five blocks from junior setter Cortney Dix.

The Scarlets also got 18 digs from senior Melissa Ivanoff, who was wearing a shoulder brace after popping out her shoulder two weeks ago during the district tournament.Both Ivanoff and senior hitter Maria Pablo were back from injury, Pablo recovering from a concussion.

"They were ready and willing to go," Big Sam said. "It is tough being gone for two weeks though."

Arlee faced Drummond on Friday and fell 3-1 to end their very successful season, 19-25, 8-25, 25-22, 11-25. Dix led the team in kills again with 10. Junior Becca Nelson had 41 digs in the match and Dix once again supplemented the offense with 14 assists. With his players in flux, Big Sam had to shuffle the lineup for the Scarlets and got his younger athletes some playing time in their absence.

"They got a lot of playing time," Big Sam said. "They know what to expect for districts and divisionals. Big Sam highlighted the play of freshmen Bailey Rice and Whitney Malatare."

They got it done and they weren't afraid to do it," he said.

That should set up the Scarlets nicely for next year as they'll return their top setter, Dix, and a top hitter in Nelson.

"They've worked together for the past three years," he said.

Arlee tied Charlo for the regular season championship in district 10-C and placed second in the district tournament two weeks ago.