Whitefish volleyball better together, ready for 2026 season
MAGGIE MERCER Whitefish Pilot | Whitefish Pilot | UPDATED 1 month, 2 weeks AGO
The Wildkats focus as Bulldog Allie Shors sets the ball at the volleyball game Oct. 28. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
The Whitefish volleyball team is gearing up for their quickly approaching season with the motto, "better together."
“I’m really excited for this crew,” Whitefish Head Coach Addy Connelly said.
Connelly is entering her tenth season as head coach. Her full roster is rather new to the varsity court.
“Not a lot of varsity court experience again this year,” she said. “But we’ve got some great leadership from the girls who have seen the court.”
Connelly said there are three solid returners in juniors Allie Shors and Annabelle Barrile and senior Edolie Petersen.
There are five seniors on the roster this season: Peterson, Clair Easterly, Sophia Christ, Lilah Haigh and Meghan Amick. Unfortunately returning junior, Stella Frisbee, is out with an injury. Connelly says that they are excited to have her back next year.
The varsity roster includes underclassmen Avery Orme, Hannah Szady and Abby Brooks.
Connelly refers to her players as “really dedicated, wicked smart and kind kids.”
“We have some really great excitement. It’s very contagious and very fun,” she said.
Connelly said the chosen motto for the program this year, "better together" is representative of how the team plays.
“We’re going to be finding all of the places where we really shine as individuals and put those together,” she added.
The Bulldogs have been working all summer in preparation for the upcoming season, including morning workouts and scrimmages against Glacier High School. Connelly says that the team is “just getting to know each other since we haven’t all played together in that way.”
The program sent 30 players to the Montana State volleyball camp earlier this summer, sharing beneficial playing time.
Connelly is joined by junior varsity coach Aliyah Evans and freshman coach Angie Scott.
“One of the things that, as coaches, we’re looking at is making sure that we have clear communication and understanding,” Connelly said. “I think it’s going to be a year of collaboration.”
The Bulldogs head to Dillon for the Northwest A Tip-Off Tournament Friday.
For the full season schedule, visit the Whitefish High School athletics webpage.