Malta racks up wins

The Malta M-ettes volleyball team racked up a few wins last week as they defeated the Harlem Wildcats, Cut Bank Wolves, and the Wolf Point Wolves.

Though Malta has won their last four games, the M-ettes are not focusing on the past.

"By the numbers, we're having a great run but our focus at games remains consistent, we fight for each point, of each set, of each game," Malta Head Coach Tasha Hines said. "We know our focus needs to be on the next point, not the end result, and these young ladies get it and have brought the winning mindset to the table."

This week the M-ettes will travel to Whitewater to take on the Lady Mavericks. The games start at 5 p.m. The team will then come home to take on the Poplar Indians for Malta's senior night. The event starts at 1 p.m.

Coach Hines was asked about how the team plans on attacking the next couple of games.

"We need to approach these matches just like any other match we've played; Point by Point, Set by Set, "Coach Hines said. "Together."

Last Saturday in Malta, the M-ettes defeated Wolf Point 3-0. The scores were 25-20, 25-19, and 25-14.

The team was led by Skylie Lefdahl who had ten of Malta's 29 kills. Kaylee Bishop had eight of 42 team digs. Rylee Hines had three of 10 aces and 12 of 26 assists. Allison Kunze and Maddie Williamson each had one block.

Coach Hines was thrilled with Lefdahl's efforts this week, in which she had double-digit kills in two of three games.

"She was hitting with an efficiency of 38.3% vs Cut Bank and a big 40% at Wolf Point," Coach Hines said. " She had the four blocks vs Cut Bank and none in the books for WoPo but let me tell you what, just because the blocks didn't score points, doesn't mean they weren't there."

On Friday, October 8, the M-ettes defeated Cut Bank 3-1. The scores were 25-11, 25-16, 16-25, and 25-13.

Lefdahl had 11 of 28 kills and four of five blocks. Lauren Tuss had 10 of Malta's 26 assists. Tia Siewing had eight of 53 digs and five of 18 aces. Kunze also had eight digs and five aces.

Malta welcomed back a familiar face against Cut Bank; Justine Lamb, a senior, who has missed most of the season due to a shoulder injury.

"Justine knows it's been a hot minute since she's been able to use her volleyball skills, we've had multiple conversations about what it's going to take to get back into the swing of it, but with the hard work & determination that she has, she'll be there, and it's exciting!" Coach Hines said.

On Tuesday, October 5, the M-ettes defeated the Wolf Point Wolves in three sets. The scores were 25-19, 28-26, and 25-20.

Kunze led Malta with eight kills, 11 digs, and two blocks. Hines had seven assists and Siewing had six aces.