Charlo gets victory over Seeley-Swan, makes semifinals of Arlee

Spike It Tournament

CHARLO - When you're playing the Lady Vikings, chances are you'll be facing a balanced attack from the entire team. Maybe that's why they're 7-1 in the 10-C district and 10-1 overall this season.

Charlo won their third straight match last Friday with a 3-0 sweep of Seeley-Swan, thanks to seven kills by senior Deondra Brown and six kills apiece by senior Kinley Pope and junior Rachel Hoyt.

"They did well," Charlo head coach Sheryl Kain said. "We served and hit pretty good."

Pope, who had seen limited practice time, was able to collect four blocks and junior Derika Stipe six service aces. Hoyt also had three blocks at the net.

The Lady Vikings won the first game in convincing fashion by a score of 25-10. Seeley-Swan put up more of a fight in the second one but still lost 25-17. In the third game, Charlo finished things off strong, 25-13.

"We didn't seem to have any real letdown," Kain said.

Defense was also stiff for Charlo, with Brown getting 10 digs, along with nine digs from Pope and senior Dawn Blevins. Senior Kelsie Blevins added eight.

The Lady Vikings then went to Arlee on Saturday for the Spike It Tournament, played five matches in just one day and again showcased their teamwork. In pool play, Charlo walloped Darby 15-3, 15-6, then split with Drummond, 15-9 and 8-15.

The Lady Vikings then faced up with district rival Superior, which is still 11-0 on the season. The Lady Bobcats downed Charlo 8-15, 4-15. In bracket play, the Lady Vikings trounced Darby 21-12, 21-7.

"We kept that momentum going into our next match against Supeior," Kain said.

Against the Lady Bobcats, Charlo won the first game 21-15, but dropped the second one 8-21.

"They played really well against them," Kain said. "We just kind of lost our momentum. They are a good team, they play together well, they hit hard and they're very scrappy."

It's positive, though, that the Lady Vikings have played well against the Lady Bobcats and that could be a precursor of things to come when the two teams match up later this month.

"I think that the girls will be ready for the next time we play," Kain said.

Charlo has a tough schedule ahead of them with road matchups against Class B schools Thompson Falls and Mission coming up. They'll get that rematch against Superior on Oct. 18 before finishing the season at Arlee on Oct. 22.