Flathead, Glacier netters face off tonight
Believe it or not, Flathead and Glacier are just getting into the brunt of the conference volleyball season.
The school disruption of a few weeks ago left the local volleyball teams off the courts for the better part of two weeks to start the month, a stretch that hit the teams when they finally got back into conference play this week.
Flathead lost each of its first two matches in Missoula and Glacier lost its match on Tuesday after starting the conference season 2-1. Both teams are looking to get into a rhythm as they face off against each other tonight at Glacier High School. The varsity match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
“We’re playing well,” Flathead coach Nicole Fairclough said. “We’re working through our inconsistencies and finding a rhythm as a team. Our girls have a lot of varsity experience, but not necessarily a lot of experience together. It’s finding how we work together and working for the whole match.
“We had a rough night on Tuesday,” Glacier coach Christy Harkins said of the Wolfpack’s loss at defending state champion Missoula Sentinel. “They’ve all been playing well. We had a good practice, hopefully we’ll come out swinging.”
Both teams strengths come along the front line, where block and attack has been leading them all season.
Sophomore Julia Burden has been the leading hitter for the Bravettes on the outside and Hannah O’Dell, Taylor Henley and Madde Boles have led the block. Senior Bailey Nunn has made the offense tick from the setter position.
“She’s one of our toughest servers and is starting to know her hitters and know their needs,” Fairclough said. “It’s starting to show up in games.”
Glacier has worked its way up to the fourth-ranked team in the state, again behind its experience at the net.
Senior Anna Schrade has been one of the Wolfpack’s top hitters and Ashley Montini is flourishing in her second season as setter.
Glacier has won the last two in the series after Flathead swept the 2015 season.
After the teams have traded blows the last two seasons, the best advice is always simple.
“It’s crosstown,” Harkins said. “Whoever shows up with the most energy usually wins.”