Volleyball starts season off 2-0

The Valkyries varsity volleyball team had a strong first week of play, beating both Thompson Falls and Deer Lodge.

In their first home match of the season Bigfork beat Deer Lodge 26-24, 25-19 and 26-24 in a non-conference match. But it was no easy task for the Vals.

"Deer Lodge is a big team, but they still played really scrappy," said Bigfork High School Head Volleyball Coach Tammi McDaniel. "They didn't let the ball hit the floor."

McDaniel added a hurdle for the girls as well when she turned in the lineup for the second game with the girls in an incorrect order. Usually she has it so there is a setter in the front row at all times, but that was not the case for that game.

"That can happen with other positions and it's not a big deal, but when it involves a setter it throws everyone off," McDaniel said. "I knew it was my mistake and they were going to have to deal with it. At first they were a little shaken about it, but they settled down and got through it. I was really proud of them for that. It shows me that they can adjust when I need them too."

The girls also had to deal with delay during the first game when there was a problem with the scoring.

"They keep their focus really well," McDaniel said of her team. "When stuff like that happens it can hurt a team. We've been working on keeping the intensity up and staying focused.

Senior Emily Hardman had 18 of the Vals' 29 kills. Senior Claire Wilken and sophomore Taylor Peck accounted for all of the team's assists, with 12 each. Wilken also led the team in aces with three. Senior Kelly Deaton had 20 of Bigfork's 55 digs and junior Mallery Knoll had 13. Knoll also had eight kills. Sophomore Melissa Vanderveer had four of the Vals' nine blocks, which is the only team stat that Bigfork didn't top the Lady Wardens in, as they had 14.

With a lack of height, blocking remains was one of Bigfork's biggest setbacks, but the girls are learning to adjust.

"Emily (Hardman) just kept swinging at the ball," McDaniel said. "Sure they'd get up there and block, but she just kept getting it past them."

Last Tuesday the Vals traveled to Thompson Falls for their first conference match of the season, which they won in four games.

"The girls came out ready to play and didn't let up," McDaniel said. "They were ready for a match."

Bigfork won the first two games 25-18 and 25-16, respectively. They lost the third game 25-20, but were able to bounce back and win the fourth 25-11.

"They got out of their rhythm in the third set, but regained it to make quick work of the fourth and final set for the match win," McDaniel said.

Co-team captains Hardman and Wilken were stat leaders again for Bigfork. Hardman had 18 kills, 10 digs and two blocks. Wilken had 15 assists, 10 digs, six kills and three aces. Deaton added 17 digs. Knoll had 15 digs, 11 aces and three digs. Peck had 13 assists, four digs and two aces.

"Thompson Falls was never able to get into their offense," McDaniel said of her team's ability to control the game.

Bigfork hosted Troy on Tuesday. The results will be in next week's Eagle.

The Vals are participating in this weekend's Tip-off Tournament in Anaconda, and next Tuesday they will host Loyola in a non-conference match.