Valley athletes shine in all-star game
Melea Burke
Mission’s Loren Erickson and Ronan Maiden Larissa Witters try to stop a hit from Ronan’s Alaina Madsen during the Mission Valley all-star volleyball game.
Melea Burke
Polson head coach Jan Toth instructs the “Lights” during the all-star volleyball game.
Melea Burke
Melea Burke
Melea Burke
Melea Burke
Melea Burke
Melea Burke
Melea Burke
Melea Burke
Melea Burke
Melea Burke
Melea Burke
Melea Burke
Mission Lady Bulldog Sara Nerby smiles in response to the announcer’s playful commentary during the Mission Valley all-star volleyball game Nov. 15 in St. Ignatius.
Melea Burke
Melea Burke
Players from Bigfork, Hot Springs, Ronan and Charlo watch as Mission’s Stephanie Lewandowski hustles to the ball just ahead of Polson Lady Pirate Mackenzie Banner.
Melea Burke
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
ST. IGNATIUS — High school volleyball players from the Mission and Jocko Valleys got one last chance to shine at an all-star volleyball game Nov. 15 hosted by the Mission Lady Bulldogs.
Lady Bulldog assistant coach Annie Morigeau said the event was a rousing success, especially with only a week’s notice for players and fans.
“This was a trial run,” she explained. “We just thought it’d be fun because they do it for basketball every year. We’re definitely going to do it again.”
Players from Polson, Ronan, Charlo, Arlee, Mission, Bigfork and Hot Springs were divided into two teams, the Lights and the Darks (based on the color of their jerseys). There was plenty of action as the top players in the area showed off their skills, and the athletes were all smiles throughout the no-pressure contest.
“The girls had a blast,” Morigeau noted.
The Lights eventually triumphed over the Darks in five games, 26-28, 26-24, 25-13, 27-29, 15-5.
Among the star athletes on the game roster were Polson seniors Heidi Rausch and Mackenzie Banner, who were both named to the Class A all-state volleyball team and to the Northwestern A all-conference first team. Polson sophomore Jaiden Toth and senior Mackenzie Banner earned second team all-conference recognition.
For Mission, Loren Erickson and Sara Nerby both received first team all-conference honors, and Stephanie Lewandowski was named second team all-conference.
Ronan’s Ashley Lynch and Marissa Witters were second team all-conference, and Courtney Kramer received honorable mention honors.
Several local girls were named to the 2012 all-conference teams for District 10-C, and Arlee senior Mahalia Hendren was selected all-state.
Charlo seniors Rachel Hoyt and Derika Stipe received first-team all-conference honors, and Arlee sophomore Violet Pablo was named second-team all-conference.
Honorable mention athletes were Arlee’s Alexis Shick, Charlo’s Haley Berkram and Two Eagle River’s Daryl Conko-Camel, all seniors.
