The Flathead Bravettes volleyball program has managed two state tournament berths in the last 10 seasons, and one way to look at that is the ceiling is high.

The hope is new coach Carol Asplund can help them reach new heights: Asplund’s volleyball teams at Joel Barlow High School racked up a lot of trophies at Connecticut state tournaments and won 12 girls conference titles in 13 seasons. 

She gives credit to the coaches she had, including Terry Liskevich and John Dunning at University of Pacific, where she was a walk-on after a standout prep career at Lyndon in Northern California. 

“I had some of the most successful coaches in the game,” she said. ‘I was very lucky. I learned how to coach from them.” 

The Bravettes won five matches last fall but have a solid nucleus of returnees in junior middle hitter Makenna Aldrich and setters Cheyenne Heino, a junior, and senior Anna Bain. 

Just three seniors dot the roster, including defensive specialists Delaney Peterson and Addison Crofts. 

“We have some really good Liberos,” Asplund said, adding juniors Reilly Judd and Lola Case to the mix. “They all are fighting for spots.” 

She also noted Madi Bain at setter, outside hitters Reagan Castillo and Addison Oyler and middle blocker Brynn Kossman.

Asplund has been reviewing matches on NFHS.com to get a feel for the Western AA and Class AA — which the Eastern conference has ruled for a minute — as a whole. 

She may or not be prepared for the travel: A trip to one of the Missoula schools is 10 miles beyond the width of Connecticut. 

“I’m kind of learning as I go,” Asplund said. “I’m not used to five-hour bus rides and overnights. 

“I’m really excited. They have a lot of athletic ability, and we’ve really been working on volleyball IQ, and their form — linear passing against non-linear passing. It’s taking some time but we’ve seen a ton of improvement.  

“We’re young, but the girls have been great. It’s been really fun coaching them.”