Volleyball faces two tough teams this week

Bigfork bounced back quickly after a loss during their home opener to Stillwater Christian on Thursday, to beat conference foes Ronan and Deer Lodge Saturday.

Bigfork had already seen both teams at a tournament in August.

The girls had been hesitant going into the starter tournament to play Ronan, but knew this time around they needed to step up their game, and the preparations they made paid off.

While they won in three sets, they were close games.

The biggest difference in their victory over Ronan and their loss to Stillwater was a decrease in unforced errors, as well as improved communication on the court.

“I was very proud of how they played,” head coach Melody Strauss said.

Marissa Hiza stood out in particular, and Strauss said she though it was one of the senior’s best matches.

“She was able to read her opponents and transition quickly,” Strauss said. “She went after it. She had a phenomenal match.”

The sets against Deer Lodge weren’t as close and Hannah Massey, Riley Coleman and Courtney George saw more time on the court than normal, due to the excused absence of Lana Berg and Abbie Fraley

“They stepped up tremendously,” Strauss said. “It was a lot of fun to see them engaging on the court in a new role.”

The Valkyries stayed consistent against Deer Lodge, continued to decrease unforced errors and improved their serving, Strauss said. “They were playing aggressively even in the midst of something being a little different.”

Thursday’s home game against Stillwater Christian went four sets, with Bigfork rallying to hang on to the third game taking the set 25-18.

The fourth set went to 29-27 as Bigfork fought hard to stay in the game but ultimately Stillwater pulled out the win.

Many of the points Bigfork lost were to unforced errors and Strauss came out of the match knowing what they needed to work on.

Bigfork hosts Eureka on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Florence on Saturday at 1 p.m, both of which will be tough games.

Eureka also dropped Ronan and Deer Lodge in three sets at the same tournament over the weekend. While Strauss said last year was a rebuilding year for Eureka, this year they’re stronger and really suprising their opponents.

“It should be competitive, intense and really it’s going to come down to who doesn’t give up,” Strauss said. “They’re here to play and make a statement this year.”

Florence is among the top teams for Class B and Strauss thinks a lot can be learned from how the Vals handle the match. “How we play against Florence could shed some light on how we’re going to do the rest of the season and post season. It will be a pretty intense week, but exciting none the less.”

Bigfork def. Ronan 25-23, 25-21, 28-26

Kills — Bigfork 23 (Marissa Hiza 15), Ronan NA; Blocks — Bigfork 5 (Lana Berg 3), Ronan NA; Assists — Bigfork 21 (Kalia Wicklund 19), Ronan NA; Digs — Bigfork 46 (Berg 15), Ronan NA; Aces — Bigfork 9 (Wicklund 4), Ronan NA.

Bigfork def. Deer Lodge 25-15, 25-14, 25-10

Kills — Bigfork 14 (Hiza 6), Deer Lodge NA; Blocks — Bigfork 2 (Miranda Campbell 2), Deer Lodge; Assists — Bigfork 12 (Wicklund 9), Deer Lodge NA; Digs — Bigfork 29 (Julia Saunders 10), Deer Lodge NA; Aces — Bigfork 6 (Courtney George 2, Wicklund 2), Deer Lodge NA.

Stillwater Christian School defeated Bigfork 25-23, 25-17, 18-25, 29-27.

Kills — Stillwater 45 (Sarah Paolini 22), Bigfork 24 (Marissa Hiza 12); Blocks — Stillwater 2 (NA), Bigfork NA; Assists — Stillwater 40 (Dori Smith 32), Bigfork 30 (Kalia Wicklund 20; Digs — Stillwater 67 (Sophie George 15), Bigfork 40 (Hiza 12); Aces — Stillwater 8 (Smith 3), Bigfork 12 (Kayla Caselegno 3).