Scarlet Thriller

Arlee outlasts Ronan in an exciting five-game set

ARLEE - In one of the most exciting, back-and-forth matches of this volleyball season, the Arlee Scarlets outlasted the Ronan Maidens last Thursday in five exhilarating sets, 25-15, 20-25, 25-15, 22-25, 15-9.

With a loud, intense crowd in attendance on both sides, the Scarlets escaped the pesky Maidens to capture the win.

"I liked our effort," Arlee head coach Brian Big Sam said. "I couldn't tell them enough how impressed I was."

Arlee looked poised to run away with the match early on as they took the game's first five points thanks to Cortney Dix's serving before Ronan head coach Naomi Mock called timeout to settle her players down.

"We talked about the points and how much time they wanted me to give them before we called a timeout," Mock said. "I missed the mark but all I said was that they needed to concentrate on the basics and then be aggressive. Do not worry about making the mistakes and when they did to shake them off."

The Maidens responded to close within 11-10, but the Scarlets took over with a 14-5 run to claim the first set.

Ronan blistered Arlee early in the second set, racing out to a commanding 17-6 lead.

"The second set was just their game, better flow and fluid movement," Mock said. "We have been talking this year a lot about trusting and believing in the ladies around you and then go full tilt, don't be tentative."

Arlee, though, wouldn't go quietly, as they roared back by winning 13 of the next 17 points to make it close, but the Maidens closed out strong to knot the match at one set apiece.

Like Ronan, Arlee answered the call after dropping a set, taking a 17-5 lead to start the third, eventually putting Ronan's backs against the wall. But again, the Maidens fought back, gutting out a fourth-set win that could have gone to either team. Arlee led 21-18 and 22-20, but Ronan wouldn't be denied, taking the final five points to force the deciding set.

In the end though, the Scarlets had just enough to pull out the win. The Maidens won a point that epitomized the match, going back and forth several times with skilled plays on both sides of the net, to get within 11-8, but ran out of gas as the home team notched an impressive win.

"When we went in (to the fifth set), I said, ‘We need to play like we do,'" Big Sam said. "‘Don't give up, play like you can.'"

Mahalia Hendren led the Scarlets with four aces and three blocks, but seemed to make an impact wherever she was on the court.

"She practices on being consistent with her hits," Big Sam said. "She gets her serve over, sometimes five or six straight."

Becca Nelson also had a big game for Arlee, racking up 12 of the Scarlets' 43 kills, 30 of their 96 digs and three of their 16 aces. Dix added 11 kills and 22 of Arlee's 29 assists in the win.

Ronan was led by Lindsay Clairmont, who recorded all 14 Maiden digs, and Alaina Madsen's nine kills. Ashleigh Lynch got down for 18 of Ronan's 58 digs, while Bethany Coleman contributed a pair of blocks in the match.

SUPERIOR 3, ARLEE 1

The Arlee Scarlets rallied after losing the first set, but couldn't overcome the Superior Bobcats in a 25-13, 18-25, 25-19, 25-14 loss on Saturday, Sept. 24.

"It was a good matchup," head coach Brian Big Sam said. "I liked that the girls didn't give up. We just had too many errors that we'll work on before we meet them again."

Arlee recorded 108 digs, including 23 from Mahalia Hendren, who also led the team with nine kills, and 22 from Becca Nelson.

Cortney Dix notched all 11 assists for the Scarlets and added four aces, while Alexis Shick contributed half of Arlee's 12 blocks.

Up next for the Scarlets is a road test against St. Regis on Thursday and a home date with Mission on Tuesday.

LOYOLA 3, RONAN 0

The Ronan Maidens volleyball team fought hard for three sets on Tuesday, Sept. 20, but ultimately came up short against the Loyola Lions, dropping a 25-17, 25-12, 25-16 decision.

"I was very happy that they kept pushing and they're getting better each time we play," Maidens head coach Naomi Mock said. "I have been pleased with our team in whole, I just wish they would get that first win so they can see the results. I think this year is one of those slowly-but-surely building years."

Ronan's balanced attack included Payge DeLaurenti and Alaina Madsen each recording three kills, with Madsen also adding an ace. Lindsay Clairmont contributed with six assists and an ace, while Ashleigh Lynch notched nine of the Maidens' 39 digs. Breanna Frank helped out with an ace and Ronan's only block of the game.

This week, Ronan hosts a pair of games, welcoming Deer Lodge to town on Thursday, Sept. 29 before entertaining Florence on Saturday, Oct. 1.