New offense for volleyball team

With 10 returning varsity players and a

new coach at the helm, the Lady Bulldog volleyball squad is looking

prepped for another run at making the Class A state tourney.

First-year coach Sarah Scott replaced

long-time coach Jackie Fuller this season. She excited to have a

chance to build the program on Fuller’s foundation.

“Jackie was great and I’m really lucky

to follow her,” Scott said. “We’re going to build some new

traditions while holding on to traditions of the past. We have a

new coaching staff and a fresh perspective.”

The Lady Bulldog roster is stacked with

depth and experience, Scott said. Seniors Abby Strellnauer and

Taylor Havens, and junior Kelsey McFadden are team captains.

“Those three are doing a great job of

leading the team,” Scott said. “Taylor is setting, Abby is the

go-to hitter and Kelsey brings a lot of spirit.”

Senior Breanna Barnes has been moved to

a new position, from the back to the front. Scott says Barnes “has

got great vertical” and looks for her to make some noise near the

net.

The team is using some new defensive

and offensive strategies that they are still looking to refine. The

new offense will be quicker as the Bulldogs try to keep up with

other teams in the conference and state.

“They are catching on real quick,”

Scott said. “We’ll have it down really soon.”

The new offense will incorporate the

middle more, Scott said, which sets up the outside hitters for a

better shot. The back row moves into more of an offensive position,

too.

“They’re a real offensive threat,”

Scott said.

The team opened the season last week

with a pair of losses to Corvallis and Hamilton. Scott says the

team served well and hustled, but was inconsistent.

“We do need to work on our defense,

too,” she said.

Strellnauer led in kills in both

matches, tallying eight against Hamilton and 11 against Corvallis.

Baylee Tveidt had three block against Corvallis while Marlow Schulz

picked up a pair of blocks against Hamilton.

Whitefish opens conference play

Thursday at home against Columbia Falls. Varsity is slated to start

at around 7 p.m.