M-ettes smash three teams

The Malta M-ettes had a strong Homecoming week picking up three wins, defeating North Country and Harlem in three sets and then finishing Wolf Point in five sets.

The team saw inter-county action last Tuesday, September 12, in Malta as the North Country Mavericks took to the Malta High Gymnasium. Malta defeated North Country, the scores being 25-15, 26-24 and 25-23.

"I think we did great," Malta Co-Coach Kalli Reintjes said. "Had some slow moments in there and some upsets where we couldn't get our passes there but I think the girls came together as a team and worked through it all."

Malta was led by senior Ella Schye, who had four kills and five blocks in the win. Though she shut down the middle of the court that night, she wasn't pleased with her performance.

"I feel like I did not play good at all tonight," Schye said. "That's just me personally but luckily my team played good enough and we won."

Janessa Malmend tied Schye in kills with four of her own. Malmend had a plan coming into the game.

"Our sets were pretty good," Malmend said. "We adjusted for me to hit at an angle so that helped a lot."

Sam Mitchell and Kylie Schipman tied in assists with eight apiece (The team had 17 total). Mitchell also had the team lead in aces with four of 11. Kloie Marks had 11 of 44 team digs.

North Country was led by Mickayla Johnson, who had 10 of the team's 24 kills and four digs. Casity Boucher had 12 of the team's 18 assists. Sydney Zeller and Bailey Funk accounted for the team's six aces, posting three apiece.

Facing a pretty tall and athletic front-line, Malta reflected on what they saw from their inter-county foes.

"They came out really strong," Mitchell said of North Country. "We always try to expect everything we can but they just hit hard and they just came out tough tonight. They played very good but luckily we played better."

With their next game being two nights away, the team shared their strategy for facing Harlem, a team they saw play at the Malta Invitational.

"We still don't really know (what to expect)," Schye said. "We are just going to have to play hard and do our best."

Malta defeated Harlem last Thursday, September 14, the scores being 25-22, 25-4 and 25-23.

Schye led Malta registering five kills, eight digs and two blocks. Mitchell had 15 of the team's 20 assists. Marks had seven of the team's 19 aces.

In the team's win over Wolf Point, Malta won in extra sets, the scores being, 25-13,29-27, 19-25, 12-25 and 15-9.

Schye had a double-double with ten kills and 13 assists. Schye also had the team lead in blocks with four. Sam Mitchell had 18 of 34 assists and six aces.

Coach Reintjes is happy with the development of the team this season.

"I've been really proud of where they have been so far," Coach Reintjes said. "Every game they leave it all on the floor and you can't really ask for more than that."

The M-ettes will head to Roundup on Saturday, September 23, to participate in the Roundup Tournament. Their next regular season game is scheduled against North Country in Whitewater on Friday, September 29 at 5 p.m.