Bravettes have something to prove in volleyball

A definite sour taste.

Spend a few minutes with the Flathead Bravette volleyball team and you get the idea quickly that that is what last year's volleyball season left behind.

The Flathead Bravettes, 0-2 at the Class AA state tournament last year, faced unmet expectations on the volleyball court.

The expressions as the team walked off the court for the final time in 2010 were stony with disappointment.

And when the season was over, they were happy to go their separate ways.

Setter Alison Lunde, outside hitter Hannah Sackett and middle Timi Severson spent their offseason traveling with a Missoula club team. They spent nearly every weekend in Spokane.

Outside hitter Kylie Schlegel, rightside Kwyn Johnson and several other Bravettes played with a local team.

They enjoyed that time.

"It was fun to play with different people. They taught us a lot of new stuff. Everything was just different. I learned how to block down there," Lunde said.

"And we got to hear what different people think about us," she added.

But it also turns out time apart can work wonders.

"I'm looking forward to home games and I'm looking forward to playing with the Flathead team again," Sackett said.

Last season is over. This is now - and the 2011 volleyball season is set to begin this weekend.

"Just the attitude going into this season is better," Sackett said.

"I'm just excited to go play anyone. We've been playing so well. We're already doing well," she said.

The expectations aren't any less, though, as the Bravettes return one of the tallest, most athletic teams in the state.

But the attitude they're taking into this year is a lot different.

The atmosphere on the practice court is intense, focused and determined.

"It's going to be fun. They finally have the maturity to take responsibility for how they play. I think we're here," coach Leon Wilcox said.

"I think everyone has learned from last year. I felt like everyone expected us to do really well - like the whole town," Schlegel said.

"I feel more focused than last year. I'm a lot more excited. We've haven't played all together since last season. It's senior year and we have a lot of talent," she said.

"The team this year is much saltier, more experienced and more mature," said Wilcox.

"I can do more observing and let them control the pace more. (At a recent practice), I just sat and watched them and just enjoyed the competition they were bringing. I think they learned what doesn't work as far as team chemistry. (Winning) takes more than just talent," he said.

Blocking and offense will be among Flathead's strengths.

"We're so solid at every hitting position. And our block just gets in the heads of the other hitters," Wilcox said.

"But I think our defense is going to be a lot better," Schlegel said.

"They're very aggressive. They'll go for anything," the coach agreed.

"They're so ready now. They're so experienced. They're challenging me when it comes to challenging them in practice. They're game is at an all-time high level - I can't just whip out last year's practice plans," the coach said.

One thing that will be different for Flathead this year is that it will not be attending the Missoula Tournament, set for Oct. 14-15. Instead, the Bravettes will attend a 64-team tournament in Spokane.

"We wanted to get beyond our borders," Wilcox said.

As for the rest of Western AA, Wilcox expects Glacier, Missoula Sentinel and Helena High to be among the top teams.

"There are not going to be too many easy matches, but there's no reason to be nervous," he said.