Bravette spikers face changes in new season

By Jack Long

The Flathead High volleyball team does not fear change — they embrace it, or at least they have had to this season. 

Little remains the same for the 1997-1998 Bravette volleyball team. There’s a new coach, new players and only one returning senior, Jodi Hagestad.

“It’s really weird to be the only player left in our class,” said Hagestad. “It’s an honor, though.”

Coach Maureen Boyle, fresh from Helena Capital, where she was an assistant volleyball coach, replaced former coach Debbie Carlson after more than 10 years at the helm. Boyle inherits a young program in a rebuilding year, but she looks forward to working with the team. 

“The more times they hit the floor,” said Boyle, “the easier it’s going to be.”

The Bravettes’ strong class of juniors, according to Boyle, gets along and works well as a team.  Despite the young lineup, the players have a positive outlook on their chances for a successful season.

“It doesn’t really affect us,” said junior Kirtlye Lohof. “We are all on an equal level and we work well as a team.”

The junior-based team will lack varsity experience in the early going, but is optimistic about their chances to progress throughout the season.

“I think we may be hurting for experience in the beginning, “ said Lohof. “We’ll get better as the season goes.”

The players will look to their lone senior, Hagestad, for leadership, along with the juniors returning from the 1997 squad.

“She has played on a lot of varsity sports so she has been in a lot of situations,” said sophomore Lori Benson. “We work really well under her.”

The Bravettes opened their season in Great Falls Jan. 8 with a record of 4-10 in the Great Falls Invitational.  The Bravettes’ home opener was Jan. 15 against Missoula Sentinel after press time; their next game is Jan. 23 in Helena against Helena High. 

Said Boyle: “As far as win-loss we didn’t do very well (in Great Falls), but the improvement throughout the weekend was tremendous.”