County rivals rumble in Ronan
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Fans were treated to a lengthy dogfight Thursday in Ronan as the Maidens hosted Class B rival Mission.
Although Ronan pounced first with a quick 25-6 set, the Lady Bulldogs came back with a vengeance, battling through close sets and sending the Maidens scrambling for a fifth-set victory.
“We came out that first game very strong,” Coach Charla Lake said, adding that the team has won the first set of their last three matches. But, she said, “I think they just got a little overconfident, and dropped the next two games. We just need to figure out how to execute and finish.”
For Mission, it was the best match the team had ever played, and the first time the Lady Bulldogs went five sets, according to coach Kendal Anderson.
“We are a super young team,” Anderson said. “The girls have never played together before this year. We are learning to trust one another more and more each game and building confidence as the season continues.”
Italian exchange student Arianna Rossi led in kills (7), blocks (2) and aces (9).
Anderson was also proud of Addison Arlint, a freshman middle who went up against Lee Camel and didn’t back down. Arlint also had seven kills on the night, as did Afron Brander. Sophia Tolbert tallied 10 assists and Nalani Linsebigler had 20 of the team’s 78 digs.
After Ronan outlasted Mission, Maiden coach Lake said she is proud of how her squad is stepping up and becoming strong team players.
JV Hannah Moss came up from the junior varsity squad and played a key part in the game as backside hitter and backup setter.
“I really appreciated her,” Lake said.
With nine seniors bringing experience to the court, the Ronan Maidens look to be contenders in the postseason. Athletes Alicia Camel and Lee Camel have also made an impact on the court although it’s only their second year playing high school volleyball.
“As long we continue to grow as a team and our girls learn to be aggressive the entire game, we will be right in there and contend for top spots in the division.”
The Maidens traveled to Anaconda on Tuesday and face Florence Thursday, two of the toughest teams in the conference, according to Lake.
The Lady Bulldogs host Loyola Thursday.
Results
Sept. 22 in Ronan
Ronan def. Mission 3-2 6-25, 27-25, 25-21, 26-28, 7-15
Aces – Mission12 (Arianna Rossi 9).
Assists – Mission18 (Sophia Tolbert 10).
Blocks – Mission 3 (Arianna Rossi 2).
Kills – Mission 28 (Arianna Rossi 7, Afton Brander 7, Addison Arlint 7).
Digs – Mission 78 (Nalani Linsebigler 20).
Specific stats not reported from Ronan.
Sept. 20 at Loyola Ronan def. Loyola 3-0 25-10, 25-19, 25-20
Aces –13 (Shaina Snyder 4).
Kills –30 (Lee Camel 10). Blocks – 8 (Lee Camel 6 )
Assists – 23 (Shaina Snyder 16)
Digs – 72 (Brianna Harris 23).
Sept. 16 in Ronan Libby def. Ronan 3-1 20-25, 25-11,25-19, 25-19
Sept 13 in Ronan Thompson Falls def. Ronan 3-1 21-25, 25-13, 25-12, 25-12
