The Scarlets rally from a 0-5 deficit in the fifth game to defeat the Lady Bulldogs

Aaric Bryan/Valley Journal

Scarlet Cassandra Kline stretches out in an attempt to block a tip from Lady Bulldog Jonna Grant in Arlee Thursday night.

By Aaric Bryan
Valley Journal
A young Arlee Scarlet squad played well above their years to defeat their rival Lady Bulldogs in five sets Thursday.
With only one senior to lead them, the Scarlets were able to turn the momentum around and win the final two games to scrape out a non-conference win in front of their rowdy home crowd.
After the Scarlets won a closely fought first game 25-20, where the score was tied from points 10-20, Mission seized control of the match winning the next two games 25-14, 25-12 and looked like they were going to cruise to an easy victory. But after Arlee coach Brian Big Sam pulled his team aside for a heated, but positive huddle, the Scarlets took advantage of Mission libero Katie McDonald’s absence from the back row and scored the first seven points of the fourth game and held on for a 26-24 win. In the deciding game, the Scarlets never panicked when they fell behind 5-0 and rallied for a 15-9 victory.
“That was exciting. We worked hard to get it,” Arlee senior Chelsea Allaire said. “We were down for most the game. It’s kind of a Scarlet tradition to be able to comeback when we’re down.”
Allaire, who finished with nine digs, seven kills, two blocks and an ace, said the secret to their comeback was the huddle before the fourth game, where her teammates started cheering each other on.
“The whole thing is that we need to be positive. When we’re positive we win. That’s a guarantee, every time.” Allaire said.

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Lady Bulldogs ground Lady Hawks in 5 sets

By Aaric Bryan
Valley Journal
ST. IGNATIUS — The Lady Bulldogs proved that they were strong finishers Saturday, beating conference rival Thompson Falls in five sets to remain perfect in District 7-B play.
The Lady Bulldogs’ 25-18, 23-25, 25-19, 18-25, 15-10 victory over the Lady Hawks, came just two days after they lost in five sets to the Scarlets, squandering a 5-0 lead in the deciding game.
Mission coach Kendal Anderson was relieved to see her young team put the disappointing loss in Arlee Thursday behind them and take care of business in the fifth set against Thompson Falls Saturday.
“The fifth game was a very well fought game. Both teams played hard and it was a battle to the end. It was nice to see the girls come out swinging hard. It showed leadership on their part,” Anderson said. “I told them that this game always comes down to who wants it more, and my girls wanted it.”
After only knocking down 33 kills against the Scarlets Thursday, Anderson changed her receive formation, which allowed them to pass more efficiently and spread out the offense. The changes worked. The Lady Bulldogs came out swinging, finishing with 46 kills. Sierra Scott led the way with a personal record of 10 kills. Scott got a lot help from her teammates. Adessa Durglo finished with nine and Rachel Jensen and Jonna Grant each had eight kills.
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Polson tests full lineup at Anaconda Tip-off volleyball tourney

Jim Blow/Valley Journal
Christa Red Crow and Riley Kenney team up to pound a ball to the floor for a Polson kill last Friday at the Anaconda Tip-off volleyball tournament.

By Jim Blow
Valley Journal
ANACONDA — Except for the first and last matches, the Polson Lady Pirates were absolutely dominant at last weekend's Anaconda Tip-off volleyball tournament.
Polson appeared a little off-tempo in its first game of the tournament, dropping a 22-25 game to Frenchtown in the 10 a.m. match on Friday, but bounced back to cruise in a 25-12 second game. (Pool play matches were two games to 25 points.)
"It was an early start and we just couldn't get anything going in that first game against Frenchtown," Polson head coach Jan Toth said. "Our serve receive wasn't very good and our rotation was different; that was the first week with Nicole (Davey back in the lineup). It was just getting used to each other ... that first-game loss put the girls in another gear."
In the second game, the team started gelling together. The passing improved and the Lady Pirates put together a very strong offense that simply dominated defenses at the tournament.
After that, Polson went undefeated in four more two-game matches against Southwestern A conference opponents on Friday. Polson beat Corvallis 25-20, 25-13; Stevi 25-22, 25-13; Hamilton 25-16, 25-12; and Anaconda 25-16, 26-11.
Polson finished off pool play Saturday morning with a 25-10, 25-12 sweep of Dillon, earning a spot in the championship against Anaconda.
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Pirate defense sets stage for 35-6 win over Broncs

Jim Blow/Valley Journal
Runningback Tim Rausch plows through a Hamilton defender, who hangs on for a shoestring tackle of the Polson senior.

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