After a slow start in the Great Falls Invitational, the Flathead Bravettes volleyball team went out with a bang, taking third in consolation play Jan. 10-11.
"We made a lot of improvement," said junior Cheyenne Rogers. "We were pretty rusty at first but in the end we came together."
The Bravettes opened the tournament on Friday by posting a 2-12 mark in pool play. Also in Flathead's pool were the C.M.R. Rustlers, who won 12 of the 14 matches they played. The next day, the Bravettes won their final three games, beating Sentinel 15-13 and 15-11, beating Big Sky 15-3 and 15-11, and in their final game triumphing over. Helena High 15-10 and 15-13.
Against Helena High, Rogers and senior Delaney Sock led each had four kills each. Senior Mandy Strong had five digs.
"We got off to a rough start," said Sock. "But we worked together and got some wins."
"I thought at times we played very well," said Bravettes head coach Debbie Carlson. "We had some great individual efforts and some great team efforts."
"I thought we started off slow but came together at the end," said junior Jodi Hagestad. "I think if we keep playing hard we 'll do well."
The Bravettes host Helena High tomorrow and played Sentinel Thursday after press time.
The entire team agrees that work still has to be done.
"I think we need to work on our defense," said Sock. "If we dig the ball and keep it playable, we should get some wins."
"I think we need to get after it in practices," said Rogers. "We need to play well as a team."
"We need to work on finishing every game," said Carlson. "Everybody improved through the course of the (Great Falls) tournament. It was really exciting."