Volleyball season concludes with Mission Valley All-Star game
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RONAN – Several of the area’s top high school volleyball players hit the court one last time during the annual Mission Valley All-Star game on Tuesday night at the Ronan High School event center in Ronan.
“This event is just one more showcase spot for these girls to get together and have fun showing off their talents,” said Shawn Kenelty, coach for the Mission Valley All-Star home team and Ronan Maiden assistant varsity coach. “It’s fun to see all this talent come together.”
Seven different Mission Valley high schools were represented, including Ronan, Polson, Arlee, Charlo, Mission, Bigfork and Hot Springs. Sixteen girls made up two teams consisting of players from state tournament teams, all-state players, all-conference players and future college athletes.
According to Ronan Maiden varsity volleyball head coach Charla Lake, the Mission Valley All-Star players are nominated by their respective coaches. Each all-star nomination is based on the player’s character, skills, athleticism and overall contribution to their team during the season.
Suiting up for the home team were Sage Jackson (Hot Springs), Brooklyn Kenetly (Ronan), Emily Fiddler (Arlee), Saige Ketter (Arlee), Hunter Eichert (Mission), Kira McPhail (Charlo), Josie Howlett (Bigfork) and Maggie Todd (Polson).
Players named to the away team were River Gonzalez (Mission), Aubrey Halverson (Big Fork), Katelyn Christensen (Hot Springs), Haylee Walchuk (Ronan), Bella Hawk (Charlo), Madeline McCrea (Ronan), Misty Tenas (Polson) and Halle Adams (Arlee).
While there weren’t any state titles on the line or personal stats kept, each girl played with the competitive fire and intensity of any regular season game.
“It was really cool to come and compete with all these different girls that have worked so hard to be here,” said Charlo Lady Viking senior Bella Hawk.
At the end of the night, the away squad, coached by Mission Lady Bulldogs assistant varsity head coach Mikayla Mason, topped the home squad 25-21, 25-14, 25-23 for a three-set sweep victory.
The closest set of the evening came in the third. After being knotted at 23-23, the away squad made a late run and scored the final two points to take the set and match win.
The away team coach said winning and coaching her first all-star game meant a lot to her. “It was fun coaching all the girls from the different schools, especially since I knew allot of these girls already,” Mason said.
