Lady Bulldogs look to improve play going forward
Bulldog Emma Trieweiler rises up for the ball against the Wildkats at Columbia Falls last week. (Tresa Byrd/Hungry Horse News)
Bulldog Jadi Walburn hits the ball over the net against the Wildcats at Columbia Falls last week. (Tresa Byrd/Hungry Horse News)
Bulldog Gabby Herrick hosts the ball against the Wildkats at Columbia Falls last week. (Tresa Byrd/Hungry Horse News)
The Whitefish volleyball team had a disappointing week dropping one in straight sets to Columbia Falls on Tuesday, Sept. 15 and another loss on Thursday to Ronan.
Both Northwestern A conference opponents dominated the Bulldogs in every statistical category.
According to Whitefish head coach Addy Connelly, the team struggled with mental toughness last week and are looking to put these two losses behind them.
When Whitefish traveled to Columbia Falls to compete with one of the best Class A volleyball teams in Montana, Connelly said her players let the success of the Wildkat program intimidate them. The Bulldogs did not last long in the match, falling in three sets 25-16, 25-19, 25-2.
“Columbia Falls is just always really hard for us,” Connelly said. “We just have to get mentally tougher and that’s a hard thing to work on; just getting past those mental blocks when we know that the opponent is tough on the other side.”
Columbia Falls leaders Mady Hoerner and Dillen Hoerner had 11 and eight kills, respectively, on the night. And Hannah Schweikert had a game high 33 assists and eight aces for the home team to help send Whitefish packing in three sets.
Bulldog junior Jadi Walburn led her team with four kills and four digs, but the highlights for Whitefish in the match were few and far between. Columbia Falls never let up and finished with a team total of 43 kills to Whitefish’s 10.
“Mady Hoerner played great for them and they have a great setter that runs their court well,” Connelly said. “They communicate well together, they’re just a strong program.”
Later in the week Whitefish hosted Ronan and were not quite ready for the Maidens to come out firing. The Bulldog girls succumbed in four sets, 25-15, 25-21, 25-18, 25-19.
Despite playing flat against Ronan, the Bulldogs were able to take the third game from the Maidens. After gaining back some ground, Whitefish seemed to become lax in the fourth set.
Whitefish senior Brook Smith, who has been an offensive attacking threat on the court this season, came up with a team high 15 kills, while adding in two aces and eight digs. Mikenna Ells and Jenny Patten directed the floor, putting up 12 and 10 assists respectively with Ashton Ramsey recording 12 digs.
The Bulldogs kept the match within reach, but again struggled mentally.
“We just have to figure out, as a program, how to come out ready to go at every game regardless of who’s on the other side of the net and do our best to play our game, be consistent,” Connelly said.
She added that Ronan is a much improved team with a brand new coach this year, and Whitefish was not prepared for them to come out ready to play.
With no games on the schedule this week Whitefish is looking to learning from mistakes and striving for continual improvement during practices.
Columbia Falls 3, Whitefish 0 — 25-16, 25-19, 25-21
Kills - Whitefish 10 (Jodi Walburn 4), Col. Falls 43 (Mady Hoerner 11, Dillen Hoerner 8). Assists - Whitefish 8 (Mikenna Elis 5), Col. Falls 34 (Hannah Schweikert 33). Digs - Whitefish 22 (Elis 4, Walburn 4), Col. Falls 48 (McKenna Rensel 10, Jazzy Marino 10). Blocks - Whitefish 1 (Brook Smith 1), Col. Falls 3 (3 with 1). Aces - Whitefish 6 (Jenny Patten 2), Col. Falls 16 (Schweikert 8).
Ronan 3, Whitefish 1 — 25-15, 25-21, 25-18, 25-19
Aces - Whitefish 6 (Jadi Walburn 2, Brook Smith 2), Ronan 8 (Hannah Rowe 3); Kills - Whitefish 24 (Smith 15), Ronan 36 (Madeline McCrea 13); Assists - Whitefish 23 (Mikenna Ells 12, Jenny Patten 10), Ronan 34 (Rowe 32); Blocks - Whitefish 3 (Gabby Herrick 1, Smith 1, Brooke Zetooney 1), Ronan 10 (McCrea 5); Digs - Whitefish 34 (Ashton Ramsey 12, Smith 8), Ronan 48 (McCrea 13).