Pirates overcome blocking trouble, down Wildkats
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POLSON – With homecoming activities in full swing, the Polson Lady Pirate Volleyball team had a lot of distractions to deal with last week and struggled early on during their game against Columbia Falls.
“I’m really proud of how we hung in,” head coach Jan Toth said. “We started the first match well, but once they began playing well, we let down in blocking.”
The Pirates started strong, winning the first match 25-18, but the Wildkats clawed their way back into the game after they won the following two games 30-28, 25-22.
After Columbia Falls won games two and three, Toth urged her girls to combat the Wildkats’ small play by hitting the ball harder.
“We came out swinging in the fourth and fifth games,” she said. “We’re number one in the conference, and Columbia Falls is last; they had nothing to lose.”
With an extra boost of confidence, the Lady Pirates began hitting harder and rallied to win the final two games 25-23, 15-7. Polson improved to 5-1 in league and 7-2 overall.
Toth said she was impressed by junior outside and middle hitter Heidi Rausch, who floored 17 kills for the Lady Pirates. Shalaina Duford added 46 assists, 24 digs and a pair of aces, while Kenzie Clay finished with five solo blocks.
Toth says her team needs to continue working on their blocking techniques.
“We’re well aware that we need to work on blocking,” Toth said. “We practice it and practice it some more.”
“We play a quick tempo style, and when teams play up to us, we lose sight of fundamentals.”
The Lady Pirates head to Missoula Friday and Saturday to compete in the Missoula City Invite.
SUMMARY
Polson def. Columbia Falls, 25-18, 28-30, 22-25, 25-23, 15-7.
Kills - Polson 56 (Heidi Rausch 17), Columbia Falls 37 (Jessie Gist 11). Assists - Polson 49 (Shalaina Duford 46), Columbia Falls 30 (Hope Burlage 19). Blocks - Polson 7 (Kenzie Clay 5) Columbia Falls 6 (Gist 2). Digs - Polson 98 (Duford 24), Columbia Falls 93 (Shaun Rowe 25). Aces - Polson 5 (Duford 2), Columbia Falls 11 (Erika Nelson 3, Gabrielle Stenger 3).
