Wardens derail Scarlets' postseason bid

Arlee’s volleyball season came to an end Oct. 27 with a four-set home loss to Deer Lodge in a play-in game for district play.

Deer Lodge had only won a pair of nonconference matches entering the contest, and the Scarlets swept the Lady Wardens in both their previous meetings.

The Scarlets were in the driver’s seat early and took the first set. But Deer Lodge knotted the contest at one apiece when they took the second set.

Momentum hinged on the outcome of the third set, which extended into extras. The Lady Wardens shifted into lockdown mode and emerged with a 2-1 set advantage.

Deer Lodge locked down the victory by taking a back-and-forth final set.

The Scarlets were not unfamiliar with such shifts in volleyball fortunes. Having sprung an upset over favored Loyola the week prior, this time they tasted the other side.

Scarlets Halle Adams and Noel Johnson collaborated on 16 kills at the net, while Raven Parson and Rheid Crawford lobbed in 11 service aces. A trio of Scarlets notched double-figure digs on defense, with Rheid Crawford, Jerny Crawford and Sara Schall combining for four dozen.

Head coach Shelby Sander said she was pleased to see so much growth from her team.

"Taking a game from Anaconda, beating Loyola and increasing our record from last season … are many things to be proud of ... just to name a few. They are starting to believe in themselves, and recognize how good they are capable of being not just on the court but off of it as well. As a coach, that is all I can ask for."

6B play-in

Deer Lodge def. Arlee 21-25, 25-17, 28-26, 25-23

KILLS – DL29 (Lauren Boese 9, S.Pierson 9, Emma Johnson 6), A25 (Halle Adams 10, Noel Johnson 6, Lark Thomas 4, J.Crawford 3, R.Parson, S.Schall). ACES – DL14 (Skyla Pierson 4, Mary Hanson 3, Bailey Crowe 3), A16 (Raven Parson 7, R.Crawford 4, L.Thomas 2, X.Jacobson 2, S.Matt). ASSISTS – DL25 (Mary Hansen 25), A17 (Xaria Jacobson 17). BLOCKS – DL5 (Skyla Pierson 3), A3 (H.Adams, J.Crawford, R.Parson). DIGS – DL56 (Taryn Lamb 15, Dylan Bartos 11, Courtney Boese 11), A78 (Rheid Crawford 21, Jerny Crawford 17, Sara Schall 10, X.Jacobson 8, R.Parson 8, Shonlea Matt 6, L.Thomas 6, N.Johnson, H.Adams).