Lady Vikings prevail in 5-set match in P-Burg
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PHILIPSBURG — The Charlo Lady Vikings remained undefeated with a five-set victory over the Lady Prospectors Friday, but their coach is still searching for something that has escaped them in their six wins this season – consistency.
The 13-25, 26-24, 25-18, 14-25, 15-8 marathon victory was a microcosm of the Lady Vikings’ Jekyll and Hyde season so far, where they look great at times and at other times they look like a completely different team. In their two losses they were out-scored 50-27.
“It’s nice that they overcame it and were able to get a win, but it’s also a little concerning if you look at the two losses, where we played on our heels,” Charlo coach Sheryl Kain. “We just haven’t had any consistency. We look great one game and then the next game it’s like a completely different team, it’s like what the heck just happened...You always wonder what their mindset is.”
“We just need to get comfortable with each other and have confidence in our teammates. We’re a young team and we’re still working on it.”
While the Lady Vikes have been able to get away with their inconsistency so far, Kain said this won’t be the case at divisionals, where they will have to play five good teams to beat teams like Gardiner, Ennis, Twin Bridges or Harrison.
After a disastrous 14-25 game-four loss, the Lady Vikings adjusted their defense to stop the softly hit Lady Prospectors’ kills that were falling right between the front and back row. With a new defense alignment the Lady Vikings ran away with a 15-8 win.
“It was good to see them come through, but why are we in that situation in the first place,” Kain said.
Dawn Blevins, in the setter position, led the team in digs, finishing with 17 of the team’s 67. She also had a team-high 21 assists.
The Lady Vikings put down 47 kills, 15 more than the Lady Prospectors, but this was balanced out by 27 hitting errors. Kinley Pope led the Lady Vikings’ attack with 12 kills. She also had three aces.
Rachel Hoyt led the team with six blocks and added 10 kills.
Deondra Brown had an all around solid game for the Lady Bulldogs. She finished with eight kills, 10 digs and three aces.
“(Brown is) kind of our unsung hero. She very consistent. She’s not going to finish in double digits in any category, but you always know what you’re going to get out of her,” Kain said.
With only nine varsity players, Kain said all her team needs to contribute.
“Everybody has a role. Their names might not show up in the paper, but we need them,” Kain said.
The Lady Vikings will compete at the Spike It Tournament in Arlee Saturday. Kain said this is the perfect tournament for them because only the top two teams from each pool advance to the championship round. They were sent home early last year and have something to prove this year.
Summary
Charlo def. Philipsburg
13-25, 26-24, 25-18, 14-25, 15-8
Kills - Charlo 46 (Kinley Pope 12), Philipsburg 31 (Shanna Johnson 15). Blocks - Charlo 12 (Rachel Hoyt 6), Philipsburg 15 (Johnson 6, Devyn Poser 5). Digs - Charlo 66 (Dawn Blevins 17), Philipsburg 44 (Jessie Metesh 12). Assists - Charlo 32 (Blevins 21), Philipsburg 22 (Carly Johnson 20). Aces - Charlo 13 (Hoyt 4), Philipsburg 16 (C.Johnson 8).
