2022 M-ette Volleyball

The Malta M-ettes Volleyball Team has brought back a lot of talented athletes, who were key in the team's first appearance since 2002.

The team will be under a new coaching staff in their 2022 campaign as they welcome Mary Grace Kalal, a 2016 graduate of Malta High School, who also enjoyed a college career, playing volleyball at Lake Region State College and Mayville State University.

She replaces former Head Coach Tasha Hines, who has been leading the program since 2016.

Coach Kalal is joined by assistant coaches Shay Garfield, a fellow MHS graduate, who turned her tassel in 2017, and Kaitlyn Indreland from Missoula. Students Makayla Buchmier and Lauren Tuss will be team managers.

The M-ettes will be without last year's senior captain Skylie Lefdahl, a 2021 All-State selection who graduated last spring and Lauren Tuss who is recovering from an injury.

The team welcomes back seniors Middle Hitter Allison Kunze and Right Hitter Rylee Hines who earned second team honors last year, as well as a few other seniors including Setter Brylee French, Outside Hitter Addy Anderson, Defensive Specialist Kennedy Koss, Setter Madison Williamson, Outside Hitter Tia Siewing, and Defensive Specialist Dally Niebur.

Also listed on Varsity is junior Right Hitter Giona Lamb and freshman Middle Hitter Denvyr Tuss.

"Our team so far is full of leadership, no matter their age group," Coach Kalal said. "All of the girls have pitched in when it comes to standing up and taking the lead or holding each other accountable."

The younger junior varsity and C-Squad athletes have shown potential, giving Malta a look at a bright future.

"We have some strong energy coming in from some freshman that I feel our upperclassmen can grab onto and feed into and reciprocate," Coach Kalal said.

When asked what games the team is most looking forward to, Coach Kalal mentioned Glasgow. Coach Kalal is just ready to get things started.

"I'm not sure about the athletes but I am looking forward to all of the games/tournaments just to see how the girls work in game settings," Coach Kalal said. "I feel we might have some good competition!"

Malta hosted the Malta Invitational last Saturday, August 27. The team went 6-2.

"I thought they played really well! They played with confidence and didn't really get down on themselves," Coach Kalal said.

The M-ettes will host Shelby this Friday, September 2, for their home opener. The event starts at 4 p.m.

The team will then go to Chinook for the Chinook Invitational on Saturday, September 3.