Good start for Troy volleyball with two wins in three matches

The Troy volleyball team has started the 2025 season with an encouraging mix of early wins. After opening the year with a five-set victory at Darby on Sept. 4, the Trojans split a doubleheader last weekend in Kalispell, topping the Flathead Crusaders before falling to Stillwater Christian.

The opener against Darby showcased Troy’s resilience, as the Trojans battled through a back-and-forth contest to win by set scores of 19-25, 25-12, 25-20, 19-25 and 15-6. 

Senior Mellissa Laffoon powered the attack with 10 kills, while Ainsley Huitron added seven and Addyson Fisher chipped in five. At the serving line, Ellie Borgmann delivered a dominant 10 aces to keep the Trojans rolling, while setter Kirsti Jellesed dished out 20 assists. Fisher also anchored the back row with 13 digs and Troy fed off an energetic bench to pull out the win. The junior varsity and C team both added three-set victories of their own.

Two days later in Kalispell, the Trojans carried that momentum into their matchup with the Flathead Crusaders, where varsity and JV both secured wins. 

After dropping the first set in a narrow comeback bid, Troy settled in and won the next three to take the match. Laffoon once again led the attack with eight kills, while Brooklyn Reid posted seven and Halle Wallace and Fisher added six apiece. Jellesed tallied 18 assists and added five digs, while her steady serving (five aces) helped keep momentum on Troy’s side. Defensively, Laffoon paced the team with eight digs and Huitron and Laffoon each registered two blocks.

The second match of the day at Stillwater Christian ended in a three-set defeat, but Troy head coach Kimmy Klin said her team will benefit from the experience.

“This loss can help us win by showing us where we need to improve,” Klin said. “We held leads a few times, but then they found our holes. They never gave up, and I’m proud of them.”

Against Stillwater, Huitron paced the offense with six kills while Laffoon added five. Borgmann and Wallace each tallied two aces and freshman Olivia Hall earned her first varsity point from the service line. Jellesed contributed eight assists and led the team with four digs.

With an opening stretch that has already produced two wins and highlighted areas for growth, Troy looks prepared to compete and improve as the season unfolds.

Troy played at Loyola Tuesday and plays at Deer Lodge Friday. The Lady Trojans' first home match is Thursday, Sept. 18 against Eureka.