Mission wins two games after loss to Bigfork

ST. IGNATIUS - The Lady Bulldogs bounced back from a loss to Bigfork earlier last week and picked up two big wins against Darby and Class A Ronan.

"For them to win that big of a game is a big confidence boost," Mission head coach Kendal Anderson said of the Ronan win.

On Tuesday, home-court advantage proved key for Bigfork, which eeked out a 3-1 victory over Mission. It was close the entire way, 25-23, 18-25, 25-23, 25-20.

"Bigfork has no ceiling," Anderson said. "Passing was the main issue."

It wasn't a loss to hang their heads about though.

"We were within three or four points in the games we lost," Anderson said.

The Lady Bulldogs' first conference loss of the season put them in a three-way tie with Eureka and Bigfork, which just so happens to be teams they're playing this week.

"We have a huge week for our conference," Anderson said. "If anything, [the loss] it's a huge motivator."

After disposing of Darby 3-0 on Thursday, 25-18, 25-20, 25-10, Mission had a monster test against Class A Ronan. They came out firing on all cylinders and won 3-0 with 25-16, 25-18, 25-18 victories.

"I think the girls played extremely well," Anderson said. "It's not a conference game, so it's more about pride."

It was Mission's first time playing Ronan.

"You don't want to lose to your friends," Anderson said. "I know there's a pretty big rivalry in basketball too."

Anderson said that her team knew the good things that the Maidens had done so far this season and were motivated for the challenge of the game.

After playing Big Fork this Tuesday, Mission will go to Arlee at 4 p.m. on Thursday and Eureka at 3 p.m. on Saturday.