Volleyball squad should be solid

The Columbia Falls Wildkat volleyball prospects look bright this season as the team returns with a stacked roster of six seniors and two juniors who have been playing together since before high school.

“This crew, especially our seniors, have been playing together since, well, really probably since third grade rec ball, but most definitely since seventh grade club,” said head coach Jolandie Brooks. “They’re a very talented hard-working group, they have big goals. We’ve had our eyes set on this year for a long time now.”

The team comes back from a competitive previous season of being undefeated within the conference, placing second at divisionals, and finishing with a 16-5 overall record. With the team having lost only two starting seniors to graduation, nearly all of last year’s roster is returning. “We have a strong setter, we have an amazing outside, and a strong right side,” said Brooks. “We’ve worked hard to build all-around players in all of our athletes, and they each contribute different things. Most of them are first team all conference players, some of them are all state players.”

Due to coronavirus concerns, the typical format of the season will be altered. Most notably, the Montana High School Association is only allowing one-on-one team events, meaning all tournaments and round robin events are canceled.

This includes the usual season-opener Tip-off Tournament, an invitational for the entire western division that sets the standings of teams, making it harder for the team to definitively see how they initially stack up. The Butte Blocktober tournament is also canceled.

Regardless of the alterations, Brooks has high hopes for the team and is looking forward to a competitive season.

“I hope that our conference is strong this year and I hope that we get worked and get pushed and challenged.

That’s what I’m looking forward to,” she said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that we will compete with anything that’s thrown at us.”

Despite pandemic concerns, Brooks is determined not to let the shadow of coronavirus affect the mentality and goals of the team.

“It’s unfortunate that it’s going to look a little bit different this year but we’re going to do what we can to stay safe and play ball. Nothing changes in our eyes this year. The same message has been preached in our gym everyday; show up, compete, and treat each other well. The girls just want to play,” said Brooks.

The first match of the season is held this weekend on home turf against Libby, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29.