Spikers looking forward to a competitive season
Hungry Horse News | Hungry Horse News | UPDATED 11 months, 2 weeks AGO
Jezanie Brooks hits the ball across the net against Dillon at the tip-off tourney. (Emily Messer photo)
The Columbia Falls volleyball team competed at the Northwest/Southwest A tip-off tourney in Polson last week.
They beat Butte Central 25-16, 25-14, lost to Florence, 25-19, 25-21, beat Corvallis, 25-16, 25-16 and split with Stevensville 25-15, 25-21.
The Wildkats also lost couple of squeakers against Dillon Saturday, 25-23, 25-23 and then to Hamilton 25-22, 25-22.
The tourney is more of a warm up to the real season, as matches only go to two games.
Coach Jolandie Brooks is excited about this team.
“I haven’t had a group work this hard in a long time. We’re a fairly young team with only two seniors — one of whom, Ashlyn Dunham, returns with varsity experience. Alizabeth Hansen is new to varsity this year, but she’s made incredible strides since last season. Her growth, both in skill and mindset, has been impressive, and she was voted one of our three captains — a well-deserved honor,” Brooks said. “We’re bringing some serious power to the court with our three junior hitters: Rylee Sweeney, Anabelle Middlesworth, and Kamryn Ladenburg. To round things out, we have two talented sophomores stepping into key roles — Jezanie Brooks will run our 5-1 offense, and Ava Scholz is taking on the Libero position.”
Brooks expects league play to be competitive.
“Our league will definitely challenge us, which I love. Bigfork and Polson are both strong this year, and Whitefish has a talented young group coming up as well,” Brooks said.
The Wildkats have a week off before traveling to Libby Sept. 11.
Their first home matches are a doubleheader against Hamilton and Corvallis Sept. 13. Matches start at 11 a.m.
“I encourage everyone to come out and support these girls — they’re competitive, hardworking, and a lot of fun to watch,” Brooks said.