Lady Hawks earn first win

An enthusiastic home crowd roared as the outnumbered Thompson Falls volleyball team beat Deer Lodge at the season opener Saturday. Despite being shorter by three players, the Lady Hawks seized a come-from-behind victory, smashing the Lady Wardens three games to one.

Thompson Falls faced an uphill fight in their first match after falling behind early. By mid-game, the team trailed the Lady Wardens by ten points. The Lady Hawks battled back to 19-22 but fumbled three balls, giving Deer Lodge the win.

The Lady Wardens looked to extend their lead, grabbing the first point in the second game, but after their slow start, the Hawks soared, switching the lead on the third ball before drubbing their opponents 25-16. Thompson Falls’ third game was also decisive, despite Deer Lodge tying things up at six points. The Ladyhawks won 25-18.

The clinching game brought several longs rallies and a loss of momentum for the Lady Hawks, who struggled a little against the Lady Warden’s deeper line. Deer Lodge took the lead early in the game, but Thompson Falls pushed back. The girls tied things up at 15 then charged into a five-point run before letting Deer Lodge score again. The Wardens never managed to regain the initiative and the Lady Hawks ended up exchanging hugs on the home court they shut the door 25-17.

Lady Hawk head coach Sandra Kazmierczak was pleased with her team’s performance.

“They’re one of the best teams of their conference,” she said about the Lady Wardens. “Our kids really played to their potential.”

Kazmierczak was happy to see the loss of three starters didn’t keep the Lady Hawks grounded.

“It’s a new team,” she said, “but they performed great. They talked, they moved, they played well.”

Over the next week, the Ladyhawks will be working on blocking, conditioning and teamwork.

“The idea is to get used to playing together,” Kazmierczak said.

The Lady Hawks will have a week to prepare before their tournament in Loyola on Saturday, September 6.