Mission using momentum

ST. IGNATIUS - Momentum is a big thing in volleyball and the Lady Bulldogs hope to ride a wave of it through the district tournament.

"I think we are in a good position to stay in the winner's bracket," Mission head coach Kendal Anderson said.

On Tuesday night the Lady Bulldogs (13-5) knocked off Thompson Falls 3-1 thanks to 11 kills by Adessa Durglo, 29 assists from sophomore Loren Erickson and 19 digs from senior MacKenzie Trudeau. It was a big confidence booster for Mission as it ended the regular season with a senior night win, and it was a victory over a squad that had handed district powerhouse Bigfork a loss.

In fact, Bigfork has dropped from the No. 1 to the No. 2 seed. If Mission defeats Plains in the district tournament on Friday, they'll face up against a reeling Lady Vikings squad. The winner would be in the semi-finals game.

"We finished out our season pretty strong," Anderson said. "The girls are excited."

While Eureka and Bigfork are the teams to beat at the district tournament, Thompson Falls and Troy will be a challenge as well.

"Troy beat a couple of big name teams at the end of the season," Anderson said.

The District 7B volleyball team is no stranger to closely matched teams as there was a three way tie for third place last season. The home court advantage may help Thompson Falls, while the Lady Bulldogs are looking at a lot of busy trips and that could be especially tough if they're in the loser's bracket.

"We can't overlook our first game," Anderson said. "Plains plays good defense, we need to be able to hit at them."

A second-round matchup against Bigfork would be a chance for the Lady Bulldogs to avenge two regular season losses. In games the Lady Vikes have won against Mission, it's been a matter of two to three points. When the Lady Bulldogs have won, it's been a much bigger margin.

"We need to get a lead on them and then they might be playing scared," Anderson said.

Pressure in the district tournament means that two loses would end your season. Anderson has told her team that they'll never know when they play their last game so they need to give everything they can.

"They've really taken that to heart," she said. "I think the girls are ready to step up."