Plains Trotter spikers show promise at Mission Invite
Plains volleyball head coach Jesse Butcher said she is pleased with the 2018 team as they kicked off the season last weekend at the Mission Invitational.
The Trotters won two of six games during three matches in pool play. In bracket play, Plains lost to Mission and Loyola, with each match going three games in the best two-of-three format.
“I am proud of my team’s performance this weekend. We have, basically, four new people in new rotations,” she said of the team’s performance,” Butcher said enthusiastically. “A couple of those girls played on our team last year, but they played as ‘utility’ players, and just served for us, so they weren’t in our regular rotation. Playing with new people next to you is always a challenge. Only time can work those dynamics out. The way they played together this weekend showed me that they will get it all figured out.”
Speaking to Butcher before the season began, she said that she was confident overall with her team lineup for the season. She added there was an abundance of talent, and the dynamics should work extremely well on the court for the Trotters team.
As far as preparations went before the season opener at Mission, Butcher said three aspects of the game she would be working on with her team would be communication, setting consistency and serve receive.
“All three will come in time. Our team is full of talent, and a good blend of experience and fresh enthusiasm,” said Butcher.
Final pool play scores (Trotters scores first) at the Mission Invitational:
vs. Noxon: 20-15, 20-9
vs. Anaconda: 16-20, 20-22
vs. Mission: 9-20, 14-20
Bracket play scores (Trotters scores first):
vs. Mission: 22-21, 11-20, 15-17
vs. Loyola: 20-10, 13-20, 13-15
“I am excited to see where our season will go. This team has the potential to do really great things. We are off to a great start, but we have so much room for growth, and the girls are up for that challenge,” said Butcher.
The Trotters were scheduled to play the Hot Springs Lady Savage Heat on Tuesday in Hot Springs, then host the Noxon Lady Red Devils in their first home match of the season on Saturday.