M-ettes at Dickinson Tournament

The M-ettes faced tough competition last weekend across state lines as they attended the Dickinson Invitational last Friday and Saturday.

The team faced a total of five teams at the tournament, each of which were equivalent of Class AA or schools in Montana. The team finished 1-2 in pool play, but made the Silver Bracket for the Tournament. In the tournament, the M-ettes lost their only two games to Minot and Glendive.

The tournament, comprised of a gold, silver and bronze bracket after pool play, is determined not only by wins but by points.

“We scored enough points to where we made it into the silver bracket which as a coach for Malta, the only time we’ve done that was my first year here,” Coach Julia Tatafu said noting that the team typically makes the bronze bracket. “So, our first day of play was great.”

The team’s lone win came against Canada’s Weyburn. The M-ettes won in three matches. The scores were 23-25, 25-13 and 25-18.

The team had 19 kills total and was led by Adrianna Bibeau, who had five.

The team had seven blocks total. Mary Kalal led the block party with three.

Ella Schye had five aces, while the team recorded 14 total. The team had 27 digs. Riley Mortenson had eight of those digs. Sam Mitchell had 10 assists.

“It’s fun (playing bigger schools),” Coach Tatafu said. “You get to see a lot of fast-paced, hard-hitting volleyball. We have nothing to lose because we’re the Class B school playing a AA team.”

The task could be intimidating, but the M-ettes made the most of their opportunity.

“I think the girls have a lot of fun playing them because there’s really no pressure,” Coach Tatafu said. “They just go out there and try their best and get excited when they get to block a big hitter or dig at a big hit.”

Coach Tatafu went on to say that teams that big play volleyball all year around.

In the team’s opening tournament game against Minot, Malta lost in their first two matches. The scores were 11-25 and 11-25.

In their second tournament game, the scores were 15-25 and 21-25.

This week they take on the North Country Mavericks in Malta tomorrow night. The c-squad will take on The Mavs’ JV squad at 5:30 p.m. The varsity game will start at 7 p.m.

“We just have to make sure we control our controllables in this game, getting hits over and in,” Coach Tatafu said. “We have a nice tall front row, we just need to make sure we can close and push on our blocks.”

Malta will then travel to Wolf Point to face the Lady Wolves. The c-squads will square off at 3 p.m. The varsity teams will play at the conclusion of the junior varsity game. Coach Tatafu likes the way the teams match up.

“They have a new coach this year and I’m not quite sure what to expect,” Coach Tatafu said noting that the Lady Wolves run a similar defensive system.