Lady Pirates v-ballers hope for a second half surge
The Polson Pirates volleyball team is still in the process of modifying their expectations as they hit the halfway point of the season.
According to the Pirates’ Coach Patty Luetzen, they still have some work to do.
“We are at the halfway point of the season with Frenchtown and Whitefish on Saturday,” Luetzen said. “I am just disappointed in some of the things and the way our girls came out and played against Butte Central.”
Despite the team losing to Butte Central 11-25, 19-25, 25-19, and 13-25 Saturday, Luetzen said she still sees a lot of positive play from her team.
Luetzen said she is “pleased” with the play of some of her younger players Paige Noyes, Mikaela DuCharme, and Kyler Lundeen.
“Paige and Mikaela have not left the court to be challenged by other players,” Luetzen said. “Paige is becoming a strong front row player and with Mikaela we get a lot out of serve-receive patterns. Paige is becoming a stronger server.”
Luetzen said the second half of the season could offer a totally different look to several volleyball teams because of injuries, individual improvement, and a change of team dynamic.
Last season, the Pirates finished its last half of the season strong.
“During the season, you reach a point where you have to spend more time working on your side of the court and watching your own team,” Luetzen said. “When you are satisfied with your side of the court, then you focus on your opponents.”
Luetzen also said she is “impressed” with the emergence of Haley Fyant’s leadership.
“Haley has been on the varsity court since she was a freshman,” Luetzen said. “She has really developed some leadership and is coming along now that we are getting down to crunch time.”
LADY PIRATE STAT PACK
Butte Central def. Polson, 25-11, 25-19, 19-25, 25-13
Kills – BC 39 (Corbyn Holm 15), Polson 39 (Haley Fyant 16, Hannah Fryberger 11, Lauren Lefthand 9, Kaelyn Smith 2, Paige Noyes). Aces – BC 9 (Holm 4), Polson 1 (Lauren Lefthand). Assists – BC 34 (Emily St. John 31), Polson *26 (Smith 11, Laurel Bitterman 7, Noyes 6, Mikaela Ducharme 2). Blocks – BC 4 (Olivia Bolton 2, Kassidy Criscuolo 2), Polson 3 (Kaelyn Smith 2, Fyant ½, Lefthand ½). Digs – BC 55 (Mollie Peoples 12, St.John 11), Polson *16 (Kyler Lundeen *6, Fyant 4, Fryberger 2, Smith 2, Lefthand, Bitterman).
Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) that differ from media coverage: P39S (Smith 20), P26D (Lundeen 16D).
VOLLEYBALL AREA ROUNDUP
Lady Vikings fall to Seeley-Swan
The Charlo Lady Vikings fell to Seeley-Swan 25-16, 25-22, and 25-17.
Cheyenne Nagy and Sakoya Gaustad finished the match with 10 of the team’s 20 kills. Teaira Truman had seven assists. Brooklyn Foust had four of the team’s six blocks. Nagy had five of the team’s 12 aces and led Charlo with 13 of their 41 digs in the losing effort.
Lady Bulldogs split with Deerlodge, Loyola
The Mission Lady Bulldogs split this week’s match with Deerlodge and Loyola.
The Lady Bulldogs lost to Deerlodge 13-25, 16-25, 12-25.
Arianna Rossi finished with two of the team’s four aces. Addison Arlin and Rossi also combined for the Lady Bulldogs’ eight of 15 kills. Rossi had four assists,. Other contributors included Nalani Linsebigler, who finished with four digs, Rossi had four digs, and Sophia Tolbert finished with four digs.