Season in Review: Scarlets rising

The young Scarlet volleyball program showed measurable improvement as the season progressed. In the early going, set scores among lower double-digit tallies reflected the need for refinements in consistency with basic fundamentals, execution, timing. But as the schedule wore on, set scores began to gravitate into the high teens and 20s range.

Not only did the Scarlets (5-13) find themselves more competitive, but they started to prevail by picking up some wins. The won nonconference matches against 14C Plains and 7B Troy, while capturing a regular schedule sweep of Deer Lodge in conference action.

As the season wound down, Arlee took a set from then-undefeated Anaconda, one of only three surrendered by the Lady Copperheads against comparable class competition up through divisionals. The pinnacle of the Scarlet season was a 3-2 five-set shocker over the visiting Loyola Breakers.

Senior middle Halle Adams led the team attack, topping 100 kills and 30 blocks. Freshman defensive specialist Shonlea Matt rocked the service line with almost five dozen service aces.

Other prominent servers in Raven Parson, Jerny Crawford and Rheid Crawford. Xaria Jacobson was the main table setter for the offense with close to 200 assists.

Rheid Crawford along with sister Jerny had over 200 digs apiece.

"Taking a game from Anaconda, beating Loyola and increasing our record from last season, starting to believe in themselves along with recognizing how good they are capable of being … are just a few of many things to be proud of,” said coach Shelby Sander. “That is all a coach can ask for."