Lady Hawks and Trotters go head-to-head in Plains

PLAINS – The Lady Hawks and the Trotters came face to face for the first time this season on the volleyball court on Thursday, September 19 in what proved to be a very heated game.

The game started off pretty evenly in the first match with a minimal difference between the two team’s points. Slowly point-by-point, the Lady Hawks stretched their lead bringing the point total to 20 to 12. Erica Sorlie scored an ace, furthering the team closer to their first set win. With a few more points added to their total, the Lady Hawks took the set 25 to 16.

The Trotters, hungry for a win, started the second set off strong, scoring the first point. As they kept their points above the Lady Hawks, a handful of aces from Thompson Falls would even the score out. Sorlie once again hammered down an ace, tying the set. After another two aces from Shey Hannum, the score favored the Lady Hawks at 22 to 10. Hannum, refusing to give up, nailed down the last point in the set, helping her team win 25 to 16.

Before the third set began, the crowd roared and picked up in enthusiasm. Preston Schubert led the Thompson Falls side, splattered with blue and gold shirts, in the train – a cheering and clapping frenzy following the favorite crowd time activity. Plains hollered back, heating up the court with chants and cheers for the ladies.

The victory thirsty Trotters would not give up in the third set, leading the set throughout the match. One after another, Plains added to their total. Even after another ace from Sorlie, the Trotters would not back down.

As the crowd cheered on their home team, the Trotters beat the Lady Hawks 25 to 19, ensuring at least one more match.

Knowing they had to win the next set to keep the game going, the Trotters gave it their all, hammering down the ball. In what started as a close match, Thompson Falls slowly grew their lead. Much of the set was separated by only five points and after a series of volleys; both sides displayed a strong passing game.

Madison Fitchett scored an ace for the Lady Hawks bringing the score to 24 to 18. With only one point left to take the win, Plains would not give up, adding another point to their total. But that point would prove to be the Trotter’s last as Thompson Falls took the set 25 to 19, winning the game.

For the Lady Hawks, Hannum had 10 kills, with a team total of 27; Autrey Hannum led with four blocks, with a team total of 5; as for digs, the ladies had 37 in total, with Angela Padden succeeding in 12. Sorlie assisted 19 times, with 21 assists in total and Hannum led the Lady Hawks with seven aces.

The Trotters had 24 kills in total with Corle Morefield adding six to that number. Hailey Phillips had five blocks, with a team total of 12. Kimberly Earhart had an impressive 22 digs, with the Trotters’ total landing at 56. Assisting 20 times, Earhart also led the team in assists, only allowing one other assist to go to a teammate. Both Earhart and Keely Benson had four aces.

Thompson Falls Head Coach Sandra Kazmierczak said both the games against Plains and later Bigfork were won 3 to 1.

“Both matches were pretty close and both teams played really good volleyball,” said Coach Kazmierczak. “We played really good at the net, we had really good hits and we came up strong.”

Head Coach for the Trotters also said his team performed strongly in the rivalry game.

“We did good… We had nine blocks so that was good,” said Coach Kim Earhart. The Trotters have been working on their offense and defense, both skills that were worked during the match.

The Lady Hawks played Frenchtown on Tuesday, although scores were unavailable at the time of print.

Coach Kazmierczak said the game should be a good one for the girls.

“Frenchtown is all around very strong,” said Coach Kazmierczak. “We are going to give it our all and go from there. With the way the girls have been playing, I think they can play a good match against them.”

The Trotters played Ronan on Thursday, September 21, losing the game 3 to 0.

The Trotters are up against Eureka on Saturday, September 28. The away game will bring out the fight in the girls.

“I believe we will be competitive. We should fight pretty hard against them,” said Coach Earhart.