Ronan drops two home matches to Whitefish and Bigfork

Ronan closed a two-match home stand with a pair of conference losses, falling to Whitefish 3–1 on Tuesday and Bigfork 3–0 on Thursday.

Against Whitefish, the Maidens leveled the match in the second set before the visitors finished it off 25–21, 19–25, 25–22, 25–21. Ronan totaled 37 kills and passed at a 92.8 percent clip from the service line. The attack was paced by 23 kills from Sierra Blood, while Kylei Adams and Anaka Hardy added support on the pins. Ronan’s back row piled up 108 digs, led by Autumn Lozeau’s 36, with solid help from Aubrey Krell (21), Blood (17) and Marie Cheff (12). Ronan also turned back eight blocks, highlighted by six total from Adams.

Two nights later, Bigfork completed the season sweep in straight sets, 25–16, 25–19, 25–15. Ronan finished with 26 kills and 70 digs. Blood led with 13 kills and 20 digs, Hardy added five kills, and Lozeau anchored serve-receive and defense with 15 digs. Ronan posted three total blocks and sided out well during a mid-set surge in Set 2 before the Valkyries closed.

Ronan moves to 8-10 on the year. The Maidens’ defense continues to be a strength, with consecutive 70-plus dig outings. Ronan is now 4-7 in the Northwest A Conference, good enough for fifth place. 

    Ronan Maiden Sierra Blood spikes the ball towards the Bigfork Valkyries on Oct. 16. (Emily Messer/Leader)