Bigfork High School athletics revs up for the fall season

With the start of school just around the corner the Vikings and Valkyries are back at it. Practices started last week for fall sports, and the first games are just around the corner.

Volleyball kicks off the 2014-2015 high school sports year on Saturday with the Class B starter tournament at Mission.

The tournament will be a good warm up for the Vals as the young team steps into some new roles. Volleyball lost two key seniors last year, middle hitter Tessa Roberts and libero Alanis Stallknecht.

“Both were pretty key components to our team last year, and hard to replace,” head coach Melody Strauss said.

In addition setter Josie Spoklie is out this season with a knee injury.

Strauss is looking to sophomore Kalia Wicklund, who set for the junior varsity team last year and played some defense on the varsity team to step up and set for the Vals.

“She’s familiar with the level of play, just in a different role,” Strauss said.

Abbie Fraley and Miranda Campbell will both spend time as middle hitters and Kayla Casalegno and Julia Saunders will share the libero position.

Overall Strauss is excited.

“I think the team has all set pretty high goals for themselves,” she said. Their goal is to finish in the top two at divisionals.

She’s also looking at her senior captains, Marissa Hiza and Casalegno to lead the team to their goals.

“I’m excited to see them lead this team this year and raise the level of play,” she said.

The Vals will play their first home game against Stillwater Christian Thursday, Sept. 4, at 4:15 p.m.

SoCcer

Bigfork boys and girls soccer play the first home matches against Stevensville at Carlyle Johnson Field on the first day of school on Tuesday.

The boys will face off at 3:30 with the Yellowjackets, who were the runners-up in last year’s Class A state tournament.

“Our first four games are four of the toughest teams in the state,” head coach Bill Buxton said. The Vikes will face also face Frenchtown, Belgrade and Park before their first conference matchup against Polson. Despite the tough start to the season Buxton is excited about the prospects of the team. Seven of the 19 players are returning, including seniors Kyle Thomson, Tyler Zavala and Isaac Passwater. Thomson was named to All-State last year, and Zavala was All-Conference.

“I’m really looking for those three to be our leaders on the field,” Buxton said.

The Vikes goalkeeper Dillon Hilling graduated last year leaving the net open for some new talent. Buxton has been eyeing Ben Russell for the important position.

“He’s fearless,” Buxton said.

Last year the Vikes qualified for state, but lost in the first round to Billings Central. Buxton is optimistic that this team could show strong, with a roster loaded with size and athleticism.

“It’s actually really encouraging,” he said. “I went from being sort of concerned to being really hopeful that we’ll have a team that’s as good, if not better than last year.”

The girls soccer team is also looking strong with some new additions to the team. Jens Sundem has joined the Vals as assistant coach to Mike Marchetti.  Sundem coached the Frenchtown girls last year, who obliterated Bigfork in a non-conference matchup and went on to the semi-finals of the state playoffs.

And not only does Marchetti have 10 returning players, having lost only two to graduation, he’s got some new additions to the team who have been playing soccer for a long time.

Among those is Ally Pancoast, a goalkeeper, whose older sister Megan is one of the teams strong seniors.

“She’s got a lot off good game knowledge,” Marchetti said of the younger sister.

Some of the other strong returning players include Gabby Eaton, Grace Rehbein and Mattie McAnnally.

“We’ve got a good opportunity this year to put them in good shape,” Marchetti said “I think we’re putting together a team that’s really starting to understand the game.”

The Vals will face Stevensville after the boys match at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Cross Country

Cross country is working into a slow groove, and hoping a fifth girl decides to join the sport. It takes five to compete as a team, and right now there are only four girls out for cross country — Makena and Bryn Morley, Veronica Farrier and Gabby Eaton.

Bryn a freshman, will challenge her older sister, though Makena will likely only compete in state qualifying events so she can focus on training.

Logan Morley is out for cross country on the boys side, a long with returning runner Cody Johnson. The three other high school boys running for the Vikes are new to the team.

“I’m just real please with the team,” head coach Sue Loeffler said. “They’re a fun group of kids and they’re working real hard. In practice they’re improving every day.”

It’s hard for Loeffler to predict who will stand out besides the Morley siblings, until she’s seen them run.

Their first meet is on Friday, Sept. 5, in Cut Bank.

Football

Bigfork football starts their 2014 season at home Friday, Sept, 5 against Choteau.

“That first game right out of the gate should be a good test for us,” head coach Todd Emslie said.

The Vikes went 9-1 last year, losing in the quarter finals to Baker. Emslie thinks they’ve got the potential to be just as competitive this year.

“We have a really good group of kids,” he said. “A lot of key players are back from last year.”

Two key returning players are running back and line backer Vinny Quirk and quarterback Josh Sandry, who will likely lead the team.

Receivers and defensive backs Isaac Martel, Jon Landon and Adam Jordt who are worth keeping an eye on throughout the season, as well as linemen Tyler Iverson and Logan Mejak.

“It’s a good group of kids if we can just stay healthy,” Emslie said.