Discipline key to Lady Pirates’ success
Carrie Pichler
Lady Pirates Haley Fyant and Taylor Brackey guard the net in Thursday’s home game.
Carrie Pichler
Wearing pink in honor of breast cancer awareness, Coach Jan Toth discusses a plan of attack with the Lady Pirates.
Carrie Pichler
Chadelle Smith
Carrie Pichler
Lady Pirate senior Jaiden Toth pops up after dig, keeping the Lady Pirates alive in a game against Whitefish.
Carrie Pichler
Libero Libby Clay finds a new role in defensive position.
Carrie Pichler
Sarah Rausch
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FRENCHTOWN – After 23 years of coaching young girls on the volleyball court, Lady Pirate coach, Jan Toth, has seen her share of ups and downs and this season, is no exception.
With strong senior leadership both on the court and coming off the bench and young starters bringing their top game, the lady Pirates have been facing some tough competition including AA play tournaments and making noise on the volleyball circuit with a statement of “we will not lie down,” the Lady Pirates have had some pretty big highs, though their record of 4-5 forced the Lady Pirates to attack the season in a different light, recovering from some close calls along the way.
“It’s been a crazy year,” Toth said. “We’ve had ups and downs this season. We have played really well against tough teams, they’re predictable, but we are very disciplined.”
A big part of the Lady Pirate discipline comes from the seniors, such as Jaiden Toth, a returning All-State recipient, leading the pack.
“Jaiden comes up big in every game and as a setter, she’s really patient and really helping these younger hitters find their way.”
Libby Clay has also made an impression on the Lady Pirate club after Coach Toth “made a huge defensive adjustment,” and put her in the Libero role midway through the season.
“She’s doing an amazing job,” Toth said.
The Lady Pirates finished their week with a split, finding victory on the road and defeat at home.
Behind Jaiden Toth’s 23 digs, 27 assists and eight aces, the Lady Pirates overran Frenchtown 3-1 Tuesday.
Haley Fyant added eight kills to the battleground played on the Lady Broncs court.
At home on Thursday, the Lady Pirates fell to Whitefish in a marathon 2-3 defeat.
Fyant led in kills with 18 kills at the net adding a couple of blocks. Toth chipped in 24 digs.
“Haley doesn’t understand her ability,” Toth said. “Haley is one of the best hitters I have ever coached in my 23 years and she doesn’t realize how much more she has left in her, but she’s getting there.”
With postseason around the corner for the Lady Pirates, Toth believes there will be an element of shock among their opponents with court competition finding a frozen effect when it comes to tough Lady Pirate battle mode.
“Volleyball isn’t predictable,” Toth said. “People don’t expect much out of us because we’ve had some performances that weren’t our best at the beginning of the year, but if we can go into that Missoula tournament knocking off a lot those AA schools and then knocking off Frenchtown, we’re looking good.”
The Lady Pirates will head to Columbia Falls Oct. 23 and will return home to host Dillon Oct. 25.
Results
Polson def. Frenchtown 16-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-20
Whitefish def. Polson 25-18, 25-23, 17-25, 7-25, 15-13
