Lady Pirates split in conference action, and show strong work

ethic coming back from two-game deficit against Frenchtown

POLSON - Polson learned some things about themselves after two very close volleyball matches last week. The Lady Pirates swept Columbia Falls 3-0 on Thursday, but it didn't come easy.

"We had to fight hard to win in three games," Polson head coach Jan Toth said.

After Polson won the first two games 25-21 and 25-20, they found themselves up 24-19 in the third and deciding game. However, the WildKats battled back and the Lady Pirates had to gut out a 28-26 win.

"Columbia Falls pretty much has their entire team back from last year," Toth said. "They're big and they play with their emotions. We were able to outplay them, especially with our serving."

Senior Ashley Johnson picked up three service aces for the Lady Pirates, and also led the team in kills with 12. Polson's defense was able to distrupt Columbia Falls' attack and the Lady Pirates outhit the WildKats, 40 kills to 16.

"We made it difficult for them to put the ball into play," Toth said.

Mackenzie Banner and Shalaina Duford had 12 digs apiece in the match, and Duford also had 35 assists. Junior Heidi Rausch had eight kills and two blocks in the game, while sophomore Jessica Hoel came off the bench to collect four kills.

"Riley Kenney did some great things at the net," Toth said.

Polson showed mental toughness in that matchup, but errors in their Saturday match against new conference rival Frenchtown put them at odds in a 3-2 loss (25-19, 25-17, 20-25, 18-25, 15-11).

The Lady Pirates committed 40 passing errors and 42 dig errors, and Frenchtown took the 2-0 lead against Polson on their home court. However, the Lady Pirates weren't about to roll over. They won the next two games to force a decisive fifth set.

"I think we settled down a little bit and remained focused during those games," Toth said. "The passing errors set the whole tone for what you're going to do."

Toth said there were bright spots in the match. Durford had 29 assists, four kills and 17 digs, working hard for Polson to turn those passing errors into offensive opportunities.

"She played a really tough match," Toth said.

Junior Tina Marquardt also ripped numerous hard balls in the game and Tanisha Matt had six kills with a hitting percentage of over .500. However, Frenchtown took the fifth game 15-11.

"For us to go five games shows our work ethic and stability as a program," Toth said. "We're a whole different team so we've got to figure out how to play next to each other. That will all come together."

Toth added that it was a good learning experience for the team and that the errors are something that can definitely be corrected.

"Our girls don't like losing and you won't find them losing much," Toth said.

Polson will play three games this week against Stevensville, Thompson Falls and Libby.

"It's going to be a test of our mental ability," Toth said.