Lady Pirates prepare for divisionals in C-Falls
<p><strong>POLSON PIRATE player Kaelyn Smith digs in an attack recent match at Columbia Falls.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p>
POLSON — The Polson Lady Pirates will enter the Class A Divisional Tournament Thursday in Columbia Falls with a completely healthy roster for the first time all season.
The Lady Pirates, who lost their star senior Chadelle Smith to an ACL injury during the first tournament of the season, now have a roster that will include Haley Fyant headed into their opening match with Dillon.
“I feel that we have a fair shot as we could possibly have (entering the tournament),” Lady Pirates’ Coach Patty Luetzen said. “I feel pretty confident playing (in this tournament) given how our team came into playing this weekend.”
Luetzen said she was “happy” with the play of her sophomore players this season. Because of a multitude of injuries and illnesses that have occurred with the team, the Lady Pirates’ sophomores have received a lot of court time they normally wouldn’t receive. Luetzen said she was happy with Paige Noyes, Shea McGuinness, and Mikaela DuCharme.
“Shea is a sprinter and jumper, and track is one of her better sports,” Luetzen said. “I think she has a lot of attributes that Chadelle has and she really has developed as a player. She has the ability to understand and play that net game. Our team really benefited from the way she played in the Missoula Tournament.”
Luetzen said Fyant’s return will make a “significant impact” on the team headed into Divisionals that includes teams such as No. 1 seeded Columbia Falls, Whitefish, Butte Central, Corvallis, and Stevensville.
Luetzen said Noyes’ blocks, set, and hits have strengthened this season and she has made more contact on the ball in competitive situations in the Missoula tournament.
If the Lady Pirates defeat Dillon in the first round of the volleyball tournament, they will face the No. 1 seeded Columbia Falls.
“Our best asset is that we serve a lot of aces,” Luetzen said. “If we have a chance to defeat Columbia Falls, we will have to have a good serve-receive night. If you have that, it doesn’t matter how big you are. However, their height influences the ability to serve-receive at the net.”
Luetzen simplified what her team has to do in order to qualify for state in this double-elimination format.
“Our team just has to play well,” Luetzen said.