Trotters prep for rival Thompson Falls

PLAINS – Trotter volleyball fans were left disappointed Saturday in a straight set loss to the Bigfork Valkyries 19-25, 23-25, 18-25 despite a valiant effort. The Trotters were brought down by errors that allowed for early leads in each set by Bigfork, though the team never gave up and continued to play hard throughout each set.

“We just lacked communication,” Head Coach Kim Earhart said. “I told the girls in our time outs that the team who talks and communicates the best wins.”

A great crowd was on hand to cheer the girls on despite some miscues on both the attack and defense. The Trotter front line was able to hold down at the net defensively. Leah Thompson, Lily Huenink and Hailey Phillips were able to help bring the Trotters back after quick starts from Bigfork.

“We have worked in the past on getting at the net but these girls are getting 10 to 15 blocks a match and it really shows to their hard work,” said Earhart.

The first set consisted of a fast start by the Valkyries forcing a timeout by the Trotters. After the timeout the Trotters came out ready for a fight. They made a run at Valkryies but came up short 18.-25

Set number two was more competitive for Plains. They scored on the attack and forced errors by the Valkyries on defense. However near the end of the set it was errors by the Trotters that allowed the Valkyries to take it by a score of 23-25. The Trotters had great play out of Felicia Earhart and Kimberly Earhart in the second set as well as Phillips.

“They play with 120 percent every set,” Earhart said, “You have to have that if you want to win.”

The third set would be no different for the Trotters. A quick start by the Valkyries left the Trotters down 6 early and two small runs by the Trotters were not enough to knock off the Valkryies in the third set losing 18-25

“Our timing was just off,” Earhart said, “When our hitters were on, our passers were off and vice versa. Its hard to get anything going that way.”

Despite the straight set loss for the Trotters, the team played well during the middle parts of each set and could attribute beating themselves rather than losing to the Valkryies.

“I have a great group of girls,” Earhart said. “I have five seniors who really want to play – and play as a team. They know they are better than what they played Saturday. It’s hard to win when you are down to start each set. But they didn’t give up. Our timing was just off and we need to communicate better.”

Coach Earhart can be proud that his girl did not give up the fight and played hard until the very end of the game. Both signs of enthusiasm and frustration could be seen on the girl’s faces. It shows how much desire the girls have to win and to remain competitive.

“We’re a competitive team,” Earhart said, “We had more guns and more defense, we just didn’t have the timing. We really wanted a win, it would put us in second place in our district – we have Thompson Falls Thursday and they have great defense. We need to be on our game.”

Trotter volleyball fans can catch Coach Earhart and his team on the road at Thompson Falls Thursday evening at 7 p.m.