Arlee cools off Hot Springs

ARLEE — Teams want to be playing their best when rivals come to town and the Arlee (2-0 overall, 1-0 conference) volleyball team looked especially dominating last Thursday night at home against Hot Springs (1-0, 1-1). After working out some early nerves, the Scarlet’s handed the Savage Heat a 3-0 defeat, winning 25-12, 25-11, 25-11.

“We had a lot of communication,” senior hitter Cassandra Kline said. “Our teamwork was really good.”

Hot Springs played Arlee close in the first game and only trailed 10-7 before senior hitter Melissa Ivanoff rotated to serve. Behind her hard-to-handle serves, the team extended their lead to 16-8 and ended up winning 25-12 on an ace from Kline.

“I think our serves were awesome,” Kline said.

For the entire night, Arlee collected 15 aces.

“It was a morale booster from them,” Arlee head coach Brian BigSam said. “Some of them were having trouble with their serves.”

Junior Becca Nelson and Ivanoff had four aces apiece.

“Becca is an awesome hitter,” BigSam said. “Some people don’t think so because she’s small.”

In the second game, Arlee jumped out to a 14-3 lead and never looked back. Ivanoff had the winning kill in the 25-11 match win.

“Our setter is amazing,” Ivanoff said. “We wouldn’t be here right now without her.”

Junior setter Courtney Dix had all 15 of Arlee’s assists in the game. Ivanoff led the Scarlets with seven kills.

The third game was almost a repeat of the second, as Arlee once again jumped out to a big lead, 14-4 and cruised to a 25-11 win. The game ended on a bad serve by Hot Springs.

“It was touch and go before we settled down in the first game,” BigSam said. “We were just nervous. Once they got it, they were good to go.”

Arlee plays on the road at 5:30 p.m. Friday against St. Regis.