Harlem begins season in Malta

The Harlem Wildcat volleyball team took to the court for the first time this past Saturday at the Malta Invitational preseason tournament.

Head coach Kim Faulkinberry and her squad joined the Chinook Sugarbeeters, Tri-City Titans, Poplar Indians and North Country Mavericks in pool play.

In pool play action the Wildcats fell to Tri-Cities 25-20, to the Poplar Indians 25-20, North Country 25-20 and Chinook 25-7 in Pool B play prior to a single elimination tournament.

In the first round of the tournament the Wildcats defeated the Rocky Boy Morning Stars 25-18, 19-25 to advanced by a cumulative score of 44-43.

In quarterfinal action Harlem was defeated by Tri-Cities scores of 25-10 and 25-12.

All though the weekend netted only one win, the time on the court provided the girls with valuable experience moving forward early in the season.

This year's Wildcats volleyball team is young and consists of sophomore Outside Hitter Skylee Dirden, senior defensive specialist Heaven Boushie, sophomore defensive specialist/outside hitter Elyssia Horn, sophomore outside hitter Hailey Johnson, junior middle bocker/middle hitter Eleeshaa Bell, freshman setter Taeshon Scheaffer, junior defensive specialist Cippy Guardipee and freshman outside hitter Aria Owen. The Wildcats are led by senior middle blocker/middle hitter Kinsey Cornell and Senior Libero Jazzamyn Benson.

The squad is very young and is learning to fill new roles following the departure of six graduated seniors. Faulkinberry is sure to help the team adjust to the varsity level and improve each time they step on the court.