VOLLEYBALL: Reloaded Flathead raring to go

The Flathead girls were a few points away from a berth in the championship game at last year’s Class AA state volleyball tournament in Bozeman.

The Bravettes took perennial contenders Billings Senior to the wire in a semifinal matchup, winning the first set before falling in the next three, with two sets going to extra points, a narrow margin that could have sent Flathead back with yet another trophy to fill its crowded halls but instead ended empty handed.

Despite graduating seven seniors, Flathead brings back a handful of players from that squad, including a pair of stalwarts in the middle, looking to finish a few points better this season and take a shot at the title for the first time since 2012.

The strength of the Bravettes starts at the core of the defense, where they return senior middle blockers Tiana Johnson, a second-team all-conference player from last season, and Alyssa Wisher. The towering block in the middle is backed by Abbi Chavez, who should bolster the back row with a shift to libero this season. Also returning from spot work on the varsity team last season are front row players Allie Gagnon and Madde Boles.

“Abbi has more energy than anybody I know,” Bravettes coach Courtney Baker said. “Sometimes I’m worried she’s going to injure either herself or someone around her because she just goes all out all the time. I love that.

“The defense, even though they’re young, it’s been awesome to see them step up and fill these position and fill them well.

“They have been working so hard. I think they know they have a lot to prove and they really love this group of senior girls.”

Baker is settling in at the head job in her second year and added a pair of new assistants to the program including Dallas Shawback, who with his father, Dave, led Stillwater Christian to a run of MCAA titles.

“I’m excited to see the girls compete,” Baker said. “I’m excited for these girls to show (the state) what they have to give.”

Across town, Glacier is looking to bounce back from missing the postseason last year for the first time since 2009. The Wolfpack also has a fair amount of turnover after graduating five seniors, all of them at least three-year letterwinners.

Even with those holes to fill, the Wolfpack did a good job of rotating in young players last year and returns eight varsity players from last season, including some power up front in second-team all-conference middle blocker Nikki Krueger.

“I’m really comfortable with their experience on the court,” Glacier coach Chrsity Harkins said. “They’ve all had some varsity experience and some varsity success. I’m excited about they can go with that background.

“We’ll have height, and that’s nice, so we should have a net advantage against most teams. We should have some strong offense. We return hitters and setters that know what they’re doing.”

Back row stalwart Brietta Russell will take over the reins at libero for the Wolfpack from longtime defensive leader Hailee Bennett.

“She has played a ton of volleyball and has the experience. I’m very confident with what she can do in the back row,” Harkins said.

Glacier should be in line for a rebound season after a rare down year in 2015. The team is setting their goals on just that bounce back, even as Class AA toughens against rising Western schools like Missoula Sentinel and Helena High adding to Eastern powers in Bozeman and Senior.

“There’s a little bit of redemption for the program,” Harkins said. “With the kids that didn’t make it to the state tournament last year, they’re saying they need to get there this year, ‘We need to get this back on track.’ I feel pretty confident in the direction that they’re striving to go. I think they’ll work hard and give it their best shot to get there.”