Maidens excel at Tip-off

COLUMBIA FALLS — Ronan is showing they’re one of the better volleyball teams in the conference after a strong performance in the Tip-off tournament last weekend in Columbia Falls. They finished second in the Northwest A standings for pool play just behind Polson as the teams from the north faced the teams from the Southwest A conference.

“It’s a good thing that they’re seeing other teams and talents,” Ronan head coach Naomi Mock said. “Some these teams we won’t ever play again this season.”

Ronan started the tournament off by splitting with Hamilton 25-13, 18-25, then defeating a Stevensville team that they had lost to earlier this season, 25-16, 25-14.

“It’s a good indicator to what your team can withstand,” Mock said.

Ronan then beat Anaconda 25-20, 25-22 and Corvallis 25-21, 25-23 before falling to the tournament’s second place team Dillon 25-14, 25-15.

“Our defense needs to step up a little bit,” Mock said.

On the second day, Ronan lost to Frenchtown 25-18, 25-20 and then battled closely with Hamilton for the matchup of the No. 2 seeds from both conferences but fell 25-16, 25-22.

Ronan will play Whitefish at 4:15 p.m. today at home.