The temperature, and excitement, in Plains volleyball is rising and Trotter coach Kim Lakko is hoping to help her team cook up some more great net play this season.

With four starters returning from last season, an encouraging campaign where Plains won third in the District 7B tournament and then also played well in the Western B divisional tourney, Lakko appears to have all the ingredients in place for another quality run in 2025. 

Back for another Trotter net season are returning starting seniors Kalli Tuma and Taylor Saner, and juniors Claire Lakko and Aubree Butcher. Claire was a District 7B all-conference pick last year. 

In her second season at the helm, coach Lakko and the Trotters will open season net play at the Mission Invitational Saturday and then host their first home match of the season against the Florence Falcons Tuesday at PHS. 

“We are excited, had a great time last year, and are looking forward to this season,” Lakko said. "It’s great to see Florence early, it will give us a good idea of what we need to work on. The tough matches we play will make us better in the long run.” 

Lakko has a right to expect a tough contest against Florence as the Falcons are traditionally the top team in the Western B division and usually the west’s best bet at the State B as well. The Falcons finished second in the State B tourney last year after claiming yet another Western B divisional title. 

Lakko said the Trotters attended the State B Bozeman and enjoyed cheering on their Western B compatriots Anaconda and Florence there. Now that they have seen it, they want to be part of it. 

“We are hoping to have our own presence at State,” she said. “There are a lot of good teams in Western B this year to contend with, and we look forward to the challenge.” 

Lakko said that 7B rivals Thompson Falls and Mission look particularly good heading into season play. The Blue Hawks have five returning starters, including three all-conference players, and Mission has a solid roster built on returning players, a new coach and a few transfers.