Scarlets heat up for district tourney
<p>Cortney Dix and the Arlee Scarlets are heading into the postseason with momentum.</p>
It's always a good idea to head to the postseason playing your
best ball of the season. The Arlee Scarlets are certainly taking
that to heart.
It's always a good idea to head to the postseason playing your best ball of the season. The Arlee Scarlets are certainly taking that to heart.
Riding the momentum of an impressive October of volleyball, the Scarlets bounced two Lake County foes in convincing fashion last week.
On Thursday, Oct. 20, Arlee headed to Ronan and dispatched the Maidens in straight sets, 25-10, 25-17, 25-11. Mahalia Hendren and Cortney Dix helped lead the way, with Hendren contributing 13 kills and five blocks, while Dix added 22 assists to go along with four aces.
Their run of good volleyball continued into Saturday, when they welcomed the Charlo Vikings down south. Looking to return the favor for a 3-0 setback on Sept. 17, the Scarlets blitzed the Vikings 25-15, 25-12, 25-20.
"We worked on our coverage and rotation," Arlee head coach Brian Big Sam said. "We had too many captains; they all wanted to drive the boat."
Since that meeting just over a month ago, Arlee has improved dramatically, getting contributions from all over the floor. Becca Nelson had five aces in the rematch while Whitney Malatare, who missed the first meeting between the teams, added 22 assists to go along with 22 from Hendren. Hendren also recorded 13 kills and 11 blocks in the Scarlets' second win in three nights.
"We went into the games making sure we were going to be ready for districts," Big Sam said.
The week gave Arlee a four-game winning streak entering districts in Noxon. Big Sam said it's a great way for his team to head into the postseason.
"It's very important because we want to go to divisionals again," Big Sam said. "I believe they can do it. We just have to hold our heads high."
The key to a deep run in the playoffs is the same as the key has been for the last few matches.
"We need to stay positive and play as a team," Big Sam said. If the Scarlets continue playing at the level they currently are, they're going to be a very dangerous team over the next three weekends.