Lady Bulldogs unbeaten in three-straight conference matchups

MISSION — After getting thumped by Mission  last weekend, both Troy and Plains can point their finger squarely at Superior and ask them why they had to rile up the Lady Bulldogs.

“The girls are still pretty upset about their loss to Superior,” Mission head coach Kendal Anderson said. “The girls are talking more and they’re moving around more.”

At the beginning of the month, Superior handed the Lady Bulldogs a 3-2 loss. Anderson felt that her team played down to the competition that game and let their guard down against a team they thought was ranked lower. Since then, Mission has won four straight, including three conference games.

“They seem to be having more fun,” Anderson said. “They were down in their loss to Superior.”

Mission defeated Plains 3-0 on Thursday night, 25-15, 25-15, 25-16, as the team was strong on defense with 39 digs.

Anderson said she feels the team has really done a good job with their coverage out on the floor. Senior libero Mackenzie Trudeau led the team with 10 digs while senior middle hitter Adessa Durglo led the team with six kills.

Sophomore setter Loren Erickson continues to impress Anderson, who said  Erickson has made the leap from JV to varsity seamlessly and has shown a lot of composure during games at one of the most important positions on the court.

“You’re the one setting up the power players,” Anderson said. “She’s gone beyond what I thought she would do this year,”

Against Troy on Saturday, the team played in closer matches but still came out on top 3-0 with 25-22, 25-16, 25-22 wins.

Erickson was once again marvelous running the offense with 16 assists and was also strong behind the line with 11 aces.

Junior outside hitter Ashley Courville was a force with nine kills in the game.

“They’re running trickier hits,” Anderson said. “Things that are harder for the defense to stop.”

The coach praised her hitters for their willingness to keep working on aspects of their game. She said they’re constantly coming to practice wanting to improve.

“They realize their own strengths and weaknesses,” Anderson said. “I love their drive.”

Mission will play against Columbia Falls at 3 p.m. next Saturday on the road.