Thompson Falls and Plains rivalry

Last Tuesday night’s game between the Plains Trotters and the Thompson Falls Lady Hawks was Pink Night, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Both teams brought a volleyball signed by each team, which were auctioned off before the game to help raise money for the Cancer Network of Sanders County.

Each team was challenged to see who could bring in the most money. Though the balls were up for auction, the main purpose was to have individuals donate as much money as they could and put it towards one of the two teams. Melissa Wilson, the coordinator, said by the end of the game, Thompson falls had raised $880 dollars and Plains approximately $140.

The game was decided in three sets, with the Lady Hawks coming out on top at the end of the game. Both teams controlled the court and led the way, forcing the other team to fight and give all they had to come back from behind.

The first set began with Plains taking a strong lead. At 8-4, with Plains leading the way, a timeout was called by Thompson Falls to regroup and talk over what they needed to do. The quick talk worked, and the Lady Hawks charged ahead and caught up with the Trotters at 9 points. The two team stayed close together and the point gap never reached above one point. At 20-18, Thompson Falls holding the lead, Plains called a timeout. After the timeout, Thompson Falls continued to lead the way, but the Trotters said, ‘No!,’ and caught up with the Lady Hawks, who were only one point ahead. At 24-23, Thompson Falls in the lead, a timeout was called by Plains. Despite the break, the Lady Hawks scored the last point, winning 25-23.

Thompson Falls dominated the second set. After the two teams were tied at five points, the Lady Hawks put it into high gear, scoring multiple points in a row. Plains called a timeout at 10-5, trying to come up with a plan to catch up. Thompson Falls maintained their momentum and continued to widen the point gap. At 17-6, Plains called another timeout to try and find a way to close the gap. In the end, the gap was too wide and the Lady Hawks won the second set, 25-8.

Reeling from the second set, the Trotters refused to let such a wide point spread happen again. The Lady Hawks took an early lead, but the Trotters closed the gap quickly. Thompson Falls felt the pressure, and tried to move ahead again, but Plains tied with them at 12 points. The Lady Hawks maintained the lead from there on, but Plains was never far behind. Near the end of the set, when it looked like Thompson Falls was going to have a clean win, Plains closed the gap to one point behind at 24-23. However, in the end Thompson Falls scored the last point and won, 25-23.