Maverick Volleyball 2017

The Lady Mavericks look to improve on last season's campaign as the team only lost two members, one to graduation and the other to transfer. In last year's campaign the Lady Mavericks found themselves as runner up in the 3C District Tournament and punching their ticket to the Eastern C Divisional in Sidney. The team's season ended as the team fell to Jordan in the elimination bracket. "It's time to step up and fight for that district title," second year Lady Mavericks Head Coach Barry Malone said. The team lost hitter Kayleigh Cummings to graduation and exchange student Mia Rimoldi to transfer. The team has returned with a lot of talent which includes three all conference athletes Mickayla Johnson, Jada Sudbrack and Bailey Funk, all three of them now seniors. "We return pretty much four to five starters and added another senior," Coach Malone said. Johnson, a six-foot-one middle hitter has proven to be a strong blocker in previous seasons. Also playing the middle will be Sudbrack who made the All-State team in her sophomore season and will be a problem for teams that will have to contend with her height at 5-11. "We will have her in the front and back and she's also a pretty good server," Coach Malone said. Being blessed with two strong middle hitters, Coach Malone explained how it helps their team. "They can get up and make it hard (on the other teams)," Coach Malone said. "As long as we can get our blocks set, it makes it hard for teams to hit over them." Though Funk, a 5-6 outside hitter, doesn't have the height of Sudbrack or Johnson, she displayed the ability to get up and make strong plays last season. Senior Casity Boucher will retain her spot as the team's setter. In her junior season she shined on offense and defense. "She had definitely worked on her serving," Coach Malone said. "She really hustles to get the ball to the girls. We will always have a hitter for her to get the ball up to." The team welcomes a new senior to the team, Sydney Zeller, a 5-10 outside hitter who transferred to Saco after last year's volleyball season. "She will bring some height and volleyball experience," Coach Malone said. "She can hit the ball. She can play every spot and even set it if we need her to." Zeller has shown the team and coaches a trait that bodes well for the team and may earn them a few aces. "In the last week she has shown some pretty fantastic serves," Coach Malone said. Freshman Kaitlyn McColly, who stood out as a solid basketball player last year as an eighth grader will see time from the bench. "She is quick and can jump," Coach Malone said. McColly and junior Sarah Boucher will see time on the outside. The team's lone returning sophomore Elise Strommen is listed as the team's Libero. "She spent a little bit of the season out last year with a concussion," Coach Malone said. "She has no fear going after the ball. She is a hustler and we are working with her to try to help us out in the back row." Coach Malone mentioned that serve-receive is the area they have been focusing on. The team's first action was in Malta last Saturday, August 26 and their first regular season game will be on Thursday, August 31 against Class B's Harlem. The team will face a few Class B opponents this season, including Malta and Wolf Point. Coach Malone thinks the competition will bode well for his team, which will have to face Scobey who has won 3C for several seasons in a row. "I think that's one of the main goals, is to battle with them and earn the conference championship and then earn that district championship," Coach Malone said.

Middle hitter Mickayla Johnson goes up for a kill against the Malta M-ettes.