Scarlets stun Lady Vikings in 5-set conference win
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
ARLEE — The Arlee Scarlets have arrived.
While the Arlee Scarlets have been a good team the past year and a half, they haven’t been able to beat the elite teams and have been searching for a signature win. They took care of that Tuesday.
The Scarlets rallied from a two-game deficit and when freshman Bailey Rice put the finishing touches on the fifth game with four aces, the Scarlets not only had their signature win, they also became the team to beat in District 10-C.
“That was the most they played as a team. They played together because they wanted it. They wanted to stay undefeated,” Arlee coach Big Sam said. “They were hustling after everything,” he added.
After dropping the first two games, 25-23, 25-22, in a back-and-forth third game, the Scarlets were able to pull out a 26-24 win and from that point on it was on.
“They were a lot more positive. They were pumped up and ready to go and kept their intensity up. It was awesome.” Big Sam said of the third game.
After winning game four 25-21, the Scarlets were up 10-8 when Rice came in for Melissa Ivanofff, who can only play libero and can’t serve because of an injury. Rice served up four straight aces and the Scarlets improved to 7-1 and 5-0 in conference.
“This shows the girls that if they keep working hard and keep doing what they do, they can beat the good teams,” Big Sam said. “It will give them a lot of confidence to know they can play with them.”
The key to the Scarlets’ win was their defense. They finished with 141 digs with all their starters finishing in double digits in the category.
“They were going after everything. They weren’t letting anything fall. They were moving and going after whatever Charlo threw at them,” Big Sam said.
Cassandra Kline led the Scarlets with 35 digs. Nelson, who led the team in kills, did her part on defense as well, digging out 32 balls. Maria Pablo finished with 23 digs and Ivanoff added 20.
Scarlet setter Cortney Dix had all of the Scarlets’ assists and all four of their blocks.
The Scarlets finished the week with a 25-11, 25-19, 24-26, 25-11 conference victory in Hot Springs Thursday. Nelson had a team-high 10 kills and 30 digs. Dix finished with 18 assists and tied for the team lead in aces with Pablo, with each finishing with six apiece.
The Scarlets (8-1, 6-0) host Mission Thursday and finish the week in Noxon Saturday.
Summary
Arlee def. Charlo 23-25, 22-25, 26-24, 25-21, 15-8.
Kills - Charlo 44 (Kinley Pope 16), Arlee 14 (Becca Nelson 6). Blocks - Charlo 5 (Pope 3), Arlee 4 (Courtney Dix 4). Digs - Charlo 94 (Dawn Blevins 27), Arlee 141 (Cassandra Kline 35). Assists - Charlo 34 (Blevins 17), Arlee 14 (Dix 14). Aces - Charlo 11 (Jessica Foust 4), Arlee 13 (Bailey Rice 4).
Arlee def. Hot Springs 25-11, 25-19, 24-26, 25-11
Kills - Arlee 22 (Becca Nelson 10), Hot Springs 17 (Alyssa Foster 8). Blocks - Arlee 1 (Cortney Dix), Hot Springs 1 (Lindsay Salmi). Digs - Arlee 130 (Nelson 30), Hot Springs 40 (Salmi 10). Assists - Arlee 23 (Dix 18), Hot Springs 13, (Salmi 8), Aces - Arlee 24 (Dix and Maria Pablo 6). Hot Springs 11 (Gina Morigeau 5).
