The Butte Central Maroons came out swinging Saturday morning against the Columbia Falls Wildkats and won both sets 25-19 and 25-11 in second day action of the Blocktoberfest tournament.
Waking early on a Saturday morning was no problem for the Lady Maroons as they were playing great team ball from the first serve on Kelvin Sampson court on the Montana Tech campus.
The first set started out in favor of the Maroons but the Wildkats kicked into gear and there was an exchange of points and side-outs for both teams throughout the set. Butte Central was able to widen the gap halfway through the set after some strong net play by the Maroons. Coach Hancock called a timeout when the Wildkats closed the gap to 19-22 which energized her team to blast the last six points as they hammered the ball and picked up digs to win the first set 25-19.
The second set started with a Booke Badovinac serving streak to gain a 6-1 advantage. The Wildkats were able to grab a few points before #2 Hattie Mehring served six straight points to open the lead 15-4. Ella Moodry, Lucy Kelly and Mollie Drew played strong at the net to backup the tough serving. Columbia Falls were able to earn a couple points then BC’s #1 Maycee Anderson hammered a couple ace serves to widen the gap even more. A rotation took Moodry to the serving line and Brooke Badovinac to the front row where she displayed her arm strength and prowess on the net. The Maroons made quick work to finish set two, in best of three action, 25-11.
Coach Becky Hancock was very pleased with the way her team looked this morning “That’s the team they can be,” she noted. “I wish for that type of play and consistency – this is the team we need to continue to be at this point in the season.” “This is the play we are capable of, our team was talking and communicating. Our libero, Maycee Anderson, was taking charge, as she is in the back rotation 5 of the 6 times. I told her to step up and communicate, and she did.” “The team was having fun, smiling and relaxed while playing one of the best games of the season.”
No stats were available at time of report.
