In the volatile world of the Western 7B Volleyball conference, there is a sports fan’s paradise on the horizon. Intense competition, down-to-the-wire games played and games to come.

All capped soon by the district tournament scheduled for Nov. 1-2 at Thompson Falls. 

The fact T Falls is one of the top three contenders for the Western 7B crown only adds to the drama and intrigue.  And that perception is enhanced by the fact Sanders County rival Plains, a vastly improved team this season, is one of the top three likely to battle it out. 

Eureka, unbeaten and untied, is the other member of the trio. 

So, with that being said, this past Tuesday night in T Falls was an intriguing glimpse at the intensity at hand as the Lady Hawks squared the season battle with Plains by sweeping the Trotters 3-0. 

The outcome of that game means both T Falls and Plains will most likely be two-three in the District seedings.  Eureka has pretty much sewed up the top seed, while T Falls is 6-2 in league play following the sweep of Plains, which is 5-2 with a game tonight (Oct 22) at home against Troy.  Plains then travels to Eureka this Saturday for one final regular season shot at knocking off the Lady Lions, who beat the Trotters 3-2 in a down-to-the-wire thriller earlier this month in Plains. 

The 8-0 Lions will then close out their regular season schedule with a trip to T Falls for a re-match with the Lady Hawks, who they beat 3-1 October 5 in Eureka. 

Phhewww. Got all that? 

First things first, after the 3-2 Plains win over T Falls earlier this year in one of the best volleyball matches of the season, the Lady Hawks went on a roll and, other than the road loss to Eureka, were no doubt waiting for the Trotters to arrive. 

The first point of the first set Tuesday set the tone for the match when T Falls took a 1-0 lead on a blocked shot at the net.  The match was tied four times until the host team took a 5-4 lead, then slowly pulled away from Plains the rest of the way.  Thompson Falls closed out a 25-16 set one win with a set clinching block at the net. 

That battle, and a spirited home crowd, appeared to have fired up the Lady Hawks, who went on to a 25-11 set two win to take a 2-0 match lead. 

In the third set, after an early 2-2 tie, Thompson Falls once again started building a lead that would reach 20-10 before a net serve by Plains ended the set with T Falls on top, 25-14.   

That clinched a 3-0 sweep and a measure of revenge, albeit likely short-lived and more than likely to be re-visited at the District tourney. 

Senior Olivia Fitchett had an outstanding game for the Lady Hawks, piling up 38 assists on the night.  Teammate Addi Pardee also had a good game, leading the Lady Hawks in digs with 14, and kill shots with 12. 

Pardee also shared the team lead in service aces with two, the same total as Gabi Hannum. Hannum and senior Sarah Koskela also had three digs each, while Addy Deal was tops on the team with four blocks. 

Plains also had several players with solid statistics on the night, led by sophomore Claire Lakko’s team-best 20 assists.  She also led the team with two service aces. 

Aubree Butcher led the Trotters with seven kills and was top with blocked shots with three.  Taylor Saner led Plains with seven digs. 

Following their season ending games this week, Plains and Thompson Falls will take part in the Friday-Saturday (Nov 1-2) District tourney this weekend in T Falls.