Mavs gain experience in three losses

The North Country Mavericks Volleyball experienced a rough three game week, falling to Glasgow, Plentywood and then Medicine Lake.

The team will hope to bounce back as they are scheduled to face a few teams this week. The Mavs will first host the Frazer Bearcubs on Friday, October 8, at 6 p.m. in Hinsdale. They will then have a double-header on Saturday, October 9. The team is first scheduled to travel to Savage to face the Warriors at 12 p.m. After the match against Savage, North Country will travel to Fairview and take on the Fairview Warriors at 6 p.m.

In their loss to Glasgow on Thursday, September 30, the scores were 21-25, 12-25, 26-24, and 22-25.

“We are getting better with each week and in this match came away with a loss,” Coach Charlene Wasson said. “We gained some valuable experience playing in front of a rowdy crowd and also are finding our syncs within our team.”

The team was led by Teagan Erickson, who had nine kills and two blocks. Jaycee Erickson had 11 assists. Zandora Longtree, Jaycee Erickson, and Kora LaBrie each had nine digs.

“We are starting to piece things together,” Coach Wasson said. “When we can increase our serving percentage as a team we will start giving the other team points and making them earn them off their offense.”

The Mavericks were able to steal a set from the Plentywood Wildcats on Friday, October 1, but the team fell 3-1. The scores were 14-25, 25-22, 21-25, and 14-25.

“This match was another one where we saw great improvement in our play,” Coach Wasson said. “We have not taken a set from Plentywood since I started coaching four years ago. They are a tough team with power hitters and sneaky middle hitters.”

T. Erickson had a team-leading nine kills and five blocks. Paige Wasson had five aces. LaBrie had eight digs.

Coach Wasson said that her team played a more level-headed game against Plentywood than they had against Glasgow.

“We had some extremely long rallies making it hard to remember who was serving,” Coach Wasson said. “It was a great match for the crowd and the kids gave them some confidence in knowing they are getting better. I am grateful that we had this week of tough games.”

Though the team struggled, Coach Wasson said that she loved that the team saw the type of volleyball that they will likely see in a few weeks, in the postseason.

“It also gives an idea of what to focus on to really get our chemistry flowing on the team,” Coach Wasson said.

In the team’s loss to Medicine Lake on Saturday, October 2, the scores were 22-25, 27-29, 20-25.

The team was led by P. Wasson who had 14 kills, seven digs, and one block. J. Erickson had 21 assists. LaBrie had three aces and T. Erickson had two blocks.

“We traveled Saturday to Medicine Lake hoping to come away with a win,” Coach Wasson said. “We couldn't string enough good plays together but kept fighting and working. We were a little slow to react to situations on the floor making a few dropped balls points for them. We also continued to struggle serving when we needed it but all in all this week of play was a win in my books for the Mavericks.”

She said that the team gained valuable experience this past week.