M-ettes defeat Harlem but fall to Sugarbeeters

The Malta M-ettes picked up a win against Harlem in Harlem last Thursday, winning the match in three sets. Those scores were 25-21, 25-19 and 25-13. They would then lose a game to Chinook on Friday night in Malta. The scores were 25-6, 25-22 and 25-1.

In their win against Harlem, Malta was led by Adrianna Bibeau who had eight of 29 kills.

M-ette Head Coach Julia Tatafu noted that consistency was the key to their victory.

"We came out and just controlled the controllables," Coach Tatafu told the PCN. "We made sure we were getting our serves over, we were talking loud, we hustled and we forgot our mistakes.

"Everbody makes mistakes. But it comes down to who can leave it on the court the fastest and move on to play," She continued. "We did that."

Riley Mortenson led in aces, posting five of the team's 15. Mortenson also lead in digs.

Sam Mitchell racked up 21 of the team's 25 assists and Mary Grace Kalal had two blocks.

Coach Tatafu gave credit to Harlem's crowd saying that they were pretty loud, but was proud of how her team responded.

"The girls were able to focus on the game and ignore what was going on in the audience," she said. "It was a great game and I was proud of the girls."

In the team's loss to Chinook, Malta was led by Bibeau and Shay Garfield who had three kills apiece. The team had 12 kills total.

The team had five blocks a category that was led by Ella Schye who had two. Bibeau had six of 26 digs. Mitchell had five of nine assists.

The loss was a tough one for a team trying to shape up for the post-season.

"It was a busy day for us," Coach Tatafu said. "We had the Little M-ettes and I think there was a little bit of pressure (on the M-ettes) because they were in the stands watching."

Though it added pressure to the varsity team, Coach Tatafu and her team appreciate the event.

"We love having Little M-ette Day with our girls," Coach Tatafu said. "It's always fun and exciting hanging out with the fifth grade girls."

Knowing that the younger M-ettes were watching, Coach Tatafu urged her team to shake off the nerves after the first set in which they scored six points.

"That second set we had 22 points and we just couldn't finish strong," Coach Tatafu said.

It was about to get worse for the team as nothing went their way in the third and the team only registered one point.

"That third game we just fell apart and I couldn't get them back together," Coach Tatafu said. "It was definitely a rough way to end the game but what we've got to do is have the ability to move on and learn from it and hopefully that never happens again."