M-ettes Grab Wins Over Shelby, Poplar

The Malta M-ette Volleyball team had a strong week of competition as the team was able to pick up wins over Shelby and Poplar, before heading over to Choteau, where they took second in a power play match at the Choteau Mid-Season Invitational.

The M-ettes will host the Chinook Sugarbeeters on Thursday, October 3, at 3 p.m. They will also host Wolf Point on Saturday, October 5, at 3 p.m.

In Malta's win over the Shelby Coyotes in Shelby on Friday, September 27, the scores were 27-25, 25-14, 23-25, 19-25, and 15-13.

The M-ettes were led by Denvyr Tuss, who had 18 of Malta's 47 kills and eight of Malta's 12 blocks.

Kendall Clausen had 24 of the M-ettes' 46 assists, and nine of their 18 aces. Ava Hansen had a team-leading 28 digs. Malta had a total of 108 digs.

In Malta's home win over Poplar on Tuesday, September 24, the scores were 25-18, 25-14, and 25-13. Tuss was asked about the key to Malta's victory.

"Having good energy," Tuss said. "We had the ability to bounce back after messing up, so that really helped us out a lot."

Clausen led Malta with nine kills, eight aces, and one block. Neva Jacobson had 14 digs and tied with teammate Brooklynn Knowles for the lead in assists (12). Shaylee Hines, Tuss, and Hailey Welch each had one block.

Malta had a total of 55 digs, 19 aces, 30 assists, 31 kills, and four blocks.

Prior to their win, Hanson could be heard trying to get her team ready for the game by saying "Get Hype!" Clausen was asked what that does for the team.

"It tells all of us girls to just be confident in ourselves, have fun, and have the energy," Clausen said.

The Poplar game served as Little M-ette Day, an event where the M-ette varsity players became Big M-ettes to 5th grade girls at Malta Elementary.

Hanson didn't have the opportunity to be a Little M-ette but she understands the importance.

"I think even though I never had a Big M-ette, when I was little everyone tells me that it's always something you remember and that you take on and you always remember that this person was my Big M-ette," Hanson said. "So, it means a lot just to have girls come in and just encourage you to do the sport, so I think that helps."

Clausen remembers her Big M-ettes from when she was in fifth grade.

"For volleyball, I had Jillian O'Brien and then for basketball, I had Erica Smith," Clausen said.

Tuss didn't remember who she had for volleyball, but she remembered that she had Carly Garfield for basketball.

In Choteau, the M-ettes defeated Choteau 21-16 and 21-16. They went on to beat North Country 21-17 and 21-19. Malta won their first set against Belt 21-19, but lost the match after losing the second set 14-21. They lost to Jefferson 15-21, and 12-21 in their first matchup. The M-ettes and Jefferson scored the most points amongst other teams throughout the event, so they squared off in a power play match. Jefferson won 9-25, and 10-25.

Tuss was asked about the benefit of competing in the Mid-Season Invitational.

"It's mainly just free touches for us to get our skills more developed so that we can kick some butt in the postseason," Tuss said.