Malta to host Northern B

Malta will indeed see some more action on their home court this weekend as the team punched their ticket to the 2017 Northern B Divisional by placing third at the 2B District Tourney in Wolf Point this past weekend.

"It's pretty open," Coach Tasha Hines said. "We just need to play to the best of our abilities."

This week, the M-ettes find themselves fighting to punch a ticket to state, as only two teams from the Northern B Division will advance to the 2017 State Class B Volleyball Tournament in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse at Montana State University Bozeman on Thursday, November 9 through Saturday, November 11.

In the 2B District Tournament, the M-ettes found themselves overpowered twice against the home team Wolf Point Wolves, who eventually lost the championship to Glasgow in a five set thriller on Saturday, October 28.

Due to a MHSA rules violation, Glasgow had to forfeit their title from last Saturday's matchup against the Wolves. According to a press-release from Glasgow Public Schools Superintendent Bob Connors.

Malta's second match against Wolf Point was for the right to challenge Glasgow for the 2B Championship. It was a match that Wolf Point would win in three sets; the scores were 25-19, 25-22 and 26-24.

The M-ettes were led by Ella Schye who had 13 of the team's 29 kills. Sam Mitchell led in assists and digs with 14 and 18 respectively. Kloie Marks had two of five team aces and Janessa Malmend had the team's lone block.

"In this tournament, I felt like we could've been way more effective at the net," Coach Hines said. "That's no discredit to them (Wolf Point). That program has built through the year. They are stronger and they have got some phenomenal hitters."

In the team's first match against Wolf Point at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, October 27, Malta snatched one set from the Wolves but ultimately lost 3-1; the scores were 12-25, 14-25, 25-19 and 25-18.

"In the first game of the tournament, we were off," Coach Hines said. "The girls were trying, they always try but we just couldn't get it put together. As the tournament went on we just built. The hustle was there, we just needed to be more effective at the net."

Malta was led by Schye who had seven of the team's 25 kills. Schye also had two of the team's four blocks.

Mitchell had 10 of 17 assists and seven of the team's 12 aces. Marks had 21 digs.

After the opening loss, Malta was pitted against the Poplar Indians later that day at 3 p.m., who had lost their opening match against Harlem in four sets. Malta won the match over Poplar in three sets; the scores were 25-17, 25-12 and 25-20.

"In the Poplar and Harlem games, our momentum was there 100 percent," Coach Hines said. "The girls were playing crazy good. After that first loss (to Wolf Point) we had a good talk and they applied the corrections we need to do."

Marks and Malmend led Malta, both registering eight kills in the victory. Marks also had 11 digs. Malmend and Schye each had two blocks. Kyleigh Schipman had 16 assists and five aces.

"Kyleigh and Sam, we are lucky to have both of them," Coach Hines said. "They are both smart and they are both aggressive. They get some of those crazy digs."

Malta's success continued as they squared off against Harlem for the right to third place and a spot in the Northern B Divisional tournament.

It was a test that Malta would pass with flying colors as Malta won their second three set victory in a row. The scores were 25-14, 25-18 and 25-4.

Schye led Malta with 12 kills and two blocks. Mitchell had 20 assists and six aces. Schipman had 15 digs.

Thanks to their third place finish, the M-ettes will face off against the Fairfield Eagles, who defeated the M-ettes in the opening round of the 2016 Northern B Divisional. The Eagles went on to take second place in last year's divisional round.

The Eagles fell to the Choteau Bulldogs in the 1B championship match last Saturday, October 28 in a five set thriller that ended in extra serves.

Though the stakes are high, the M-ettes are thankful to have another chance to play on their home court.

"It's a huge advantage," Coach Hines said. "You have your support. You have your community and with that comes a little bit of momentum. A cheering section and confidence is exactly what you need. You are most comfortable at your own house. That's where these girls practice every day and perform. We are going to be ready."

The team will aim to correct blocking issues on the frontline, even with only a few days of practice.

"Repetition," Coach Hines said. "And sitting down and talking about the fundamentals. Breaking it down and building it up again. The girls know how to do it; it's just about building the confidence to do it. We have to reiterate confidence."

Malta takes on Fairfield on Thursday, November 2, at 11:45 a.m.