The Plains Trotters played only one match last week but it was a doozy – a four-set match with Sanders County rival Thompson Falls. The Hawks managed to fight past the Trotters 25-21, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, but coach Kim Lakko’s netters battled the Hawks gamely for every point along the way.

In spite of very vocal support from their supporters, the Trotters had their chances to win each set, but the Hawks managed to hold them off and move to the District 7B conference win.

Lakko said she had several previously injured Trotters back for the match and that her team enjoyed their most recent meeting with the Hawks, especially with the large crowd in attendance from both schools spicing up the proceedings. “It was nice to have most of my girls back,” she said, “and it is always fun to play Thompson Falls.”

Totter libero Taylor Saner had a busy night, digging up a team-high 26 Thompson Falls kill attempts, in addition to hitting a team-leading four service aces.

Sophomore Hadyn Rice led the Trotters in kills with 14 and recorded three blocks, Claire Lakko directed the Plains attack efficiently with 38 set assists in addition to blocking two shots and serving up three aces, Aubree Butcher hit nine kills and three aces, Mila Rivinius hit nine more kills, and Kalli Tuma added 12 digs, two blocks and seven set assists.

Please see other story for details on Thompson Falls efforts in the match.

The Trotters complete regular season play this week with a match at Troy Saturday.

There is no District 7B tournament this season and the Western B divisional tournament will be played in Mission beginning November 6. The top two teams from the Western B will move on to the State B tourney, part of the Montana All-Class tournament in Bozeman March 13-15.

    TROTTER JUNIOR Aubree Butcher hits a kill shot as Thompson Falls’ Cora Anderson defends in Plains October 14. (John Hamilton/vp-mi)