Spikers open at Whitefish Tip-off Tourney

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

You'll see somewhat of a new look from the Columbia Falls High School varsity volleyball team, at least early in the 2008 season.

Addy Hines returns for her third year as head coach of the Wildkats. She has a nice balance, with five seniors, five juniors and a sophomore on the roster to open the season Saturday at the Whitefish Tip-off Tournament.

But absent is setter Sarah Marcille, who was lost to graduation along with libero/defensive specialist Staci Pence, Auttem Osborne, Sam Ladenburg and Michelle Murphy.

All-conference Marcille was the lone setter in the Kats' 5-1 offense. This season, at least early on, Hines will go with two setters and her team will run a modified 6-2 offense.

"There are big shoes to fill there," Hines said of the loss to Marcille.

However, the coach is enthused about the spirit shown by the Kats in practice.

"The girls are so versatile. Anything I've asked them to do they've jumped in," Hines said. "They know we're looking at what works best for our program. They really seem to work together. We have to make sure we're in it for the team."

That's an area in which the Kats struggled toward the end of the 2007 season — togetherness and cohesiveness. That area should improve, according to Hines.

Pence's spot in the back row is another key area to fill, and early in the season senior Kayla Stinger will play the libero position.

Also on the varsity roster for this weekend are seniors Alyssa Ladenburg (5-foot-6), Amanda Milliard (5-9), Jessica McMaster (5-7) and Cedar Smith (5-9); juniors Ashley Anderson (5-6), Brooke Cady (5-10), Cassidee Skiles (5-8), Tianna Burns (5-7) and Shiloh Knudsen (5-10); and sophomore Kayla DeWit (6-1).

With five players at 5-9 or taller, the Kats will have more size at the net this season.

Hines said the Kats are attacking the ball fairly well in practice, but said, "It's a matter of getting used to your setter and your hitter. I'm pleased where we're at at this point."

Of course, passing is a key area for any volleyball team.

There is a new face on the Kats coaching staff. He's Wes Knudsen, who will coach the junior varsity team. This is his first volleyball coaching experience.

"It's a great challenge for me," Knudsen said last week. "The kids have a great attitude."

Heather Gilchrist returns for her second year as freshman coach.

Last season, the Kats went into the regional tournament as the fourth seed. The team posted a 2-2 mark and failed to qualify for state. Whitefish, which was second at regionals, went on to finish second at state to Fergus. Regional champion Libby was fourth at state.

Both Whitefish and Libby should be conference front-runners again this season.

CFHS opens the Whitefish Tip-off Tourney against Flathead Home School at 9:15 a.m. Saturday. Then the Kats play Park County, Bigfork, Libby and Whitefish. Each match features two games to 25 points.

The Kats' varsity home opener is Saturday, Sept. 6 against Polson.