Lady Bulldogs in tight conference race

ST. IGNATIUS - Things have tightened up in the District 7-B conference for volleyball, and the Lady Bulldogs are right in the thick of things.

"It started off looking like it was going to be a runaway," Mission head coach Kendal Anderson said. "Now it's going to be a pretty interesting and tight district tournament."

Mission is doing plenty to stir the pot, sitting third in the conference after splitting two conference matches last week. Scheduling hasn't been kind to the Lady Bulldogs, as half their season's games have been played in the last three weeks.

"I think our girls are tired," Anderson said. "We're just not getting the chance to rest. No one is 100 percent."

Mission did start the week with a 3-0 win over Ronan, 25-18, 26-24, 25-22, their second victory over the Class A school this season. Sophomore setter Loren Erickson tied for the team lead in kills with seven to go along with 17 assists. Senior Adessa Durglo also had seven kills. The Lady Bulldogs were implementing a new offense during the Ronan game.

"It was a good opportunity for us to work on communication," Anderson said.

On Thursday, Mission knocked off Plains 3-0 with 25-12, 25-23, 25-19 scores. Senior Sierra Scott, despite suffering from a shoulder injury, led the team with 10 kills.

"Our offense was pretty good, our passing and defense was not," Anderson said.

Troy beat the Lady Bulldogs on Saturday with a 3-1 victory. Mission won the first game 25-20, but dropped the next three 24-26, 17-25, 15-25.

Despite being sick for the past two weeks, Durglo had 11 kills and six blocks in the game.

"Ninety percent of it is all momentum," Anderson said. "Troy did the same thing to us last year. For them, it was a huge win."

Due to the fatigue of the team, Anderson said she will give her team days off between today and Monday to allow her players to recharge themselves.

"I hope it will rejuvenate them," Anderson said.