We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
The Harlem Lady Cats in action Saturday against the Wolf Point Wolves in their final home contest of the season. The Lady Cats concluded the regular season in rapid fashion, playing seven conference matches in six days.
The Harlem Lady Cat Volleyball team has been on a roller coaster all season, never knowing what was coming and being prepared for it when it came.
The Lady Cats had their season suspended the end of September when the Harlem School Board made the decision to suspend the season amid rising COVID-19 cases in Blaine County.
On Monday, October 12 the Board made the decision to resume fall sports activities on Monday, October 19. After a lengthy layoff during the season any coach would like the opportunity to get some practice in before jumping back into the schedule.
For Head Coach, Kim Faulkinberry and her players that wasn't their reality. In order to complete the season and get prepared for the District 2B Tournament this week they had the daunting task of playing seven conference matches in just six days.
After one practice on Monday the Lady Cats were in Glasgow Tuesday night to take on the undefeated Scotties in their first action back on the court. They weren't just playing one match against the top seed, they were playing a double header to make up for matches missed.
Taking on the undefeated Scotties after three weeks off and with just one practice to prepare would be a monumental challenge for any team, but the Lady Cats held their own. In match one they fell 25-14, 25-17, 26-24 gaining confidence with each set.
Match number two again went the way of the Scotties but the Lady Cats showed heart in a 25-16, 25-12, 25-14 loss. Junior Taya LaFromboise-Trottier led the team with 5 Kills in Match 2.
"After 3 weeks off the kids played well," said Faulkinberry. "We struggled a bit at the serving line, but Taya (LaFromboise-Trottier) had 4 aces for us in the first match while Mylah Rider served 5 aces in the second match. Considering we only had 1 practice to knock some of the rust off before playing our district leader, I was quite pleased with our performance."
Friday evening the girls returned home to take on the Poplar Indians in another doubleheader.
The Lady Cats took set number one 25-14 but the Indians evened the match in set two with a 25-23 win. From that point on the Lady Cats seized control of the match.
Harlem won set 3 25-15 and then closed out Poplar in set four 25-21 to win the match 3-1. Hawley recorded nine Kills, four Blocks and seven Aces in the win. Senior Chloe Messerly added nine kills as well, and junior Vanise Little recorded 13 Assists.
Match number two with the Indians again went in favor of the Lady Cats. This time Harlem took the first two sets by scores of 25-16 and 25-22. Poplar rebounded to win set three 25-18. Harlem took set four 25-16 to win the match 3-1.
Hawley led the way with 10 Kills and sophomore Jessica King dug up 11 balls for the Lady Cats. Little added 12 Assists and sophomore Mylah Rider served up seven Aces in the win.
Saturday the Lady Cats hosted the Wolf Point Wolves in their third double header of the week. The Lady Cats fought hard in the first match falling in three close sets, 25-20, 25-22 and 25-21.
Match number two again went the way of the Wolves but the Lady Cats took the opening set 25-21. Wolf Point bounced back to win the next three sets 25-20, 25-21, 26-24.
The Lady Cats final regular season match was Monday. Results were not known at press time.
The Lady Cats have show remarkable fortitude in dealing with incredible obstacles this season, but rest assured Faulkinberry and her team will be ready when they head to Malta Thursday for the District 2B Tournament.
"The attitude of the girls has been amazing. They are competing very well considering lack of practice time," said Faulkinberry. With such time constraints on their day to day activities and with all they hope to accomplish the kids are putting in extra work, "They haven't complained once about being tired, but they are. Playing 7 conference matches in 6 days shows just how resilient our girls are!"
The Lady Cats will enter the District 2B Tournament as the No. 4 seed and will take on the Poplar Indians, the No. 5 seed Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. The Lady Cats just picked up two wins over Poplar and will look for a strong showing in the tournaments first match.
The winner will then earn the privilege to take on the No. 1 seed Glasgow Scotties Friday at Noon. The winner will also punch their ticket to the Northern B Divisional. The loser will see their season come to an end.
