Wildkats spikers reload for 2009 campaign
With three returning starters, Columbia Falls High School is reloading on the volleyball court for the 2009 season.
The Wildkats open the season with four two-set matches Saturday in the annual Whitefish Season Starters Tournament. C-Falls faces Eureka from Class B at 9:45 a.m., then plays Ronan at noon. Bigfork, now in Class B, is the Wildkats' opponent at 2:15 p.m., then C-Falls caps the tournament with a match against host Whitefish at 3:45 p.m. All those starting times are approximate, as each match features two sets to 25 points each.
Lost via graduation were Alyssa Ladenburg, Amanda Milliard and Cedar Smith; all were all-conference players. "Those are some big shoes to fill," said returning head coach Addy Hines.
Returning starters are seniors Brooke Cady and Cassidee Skiles, both about 5-foot-9, and 6-1 junior Kayla DeWit. Cady moved to outside hitter last year and is more comfortable in that role. DeWit is "grasping play at the varsity level" and hitting very well, Hines said, showing a more aggressive approach at the net.
Other returning varsity players are 5-6 Ashley Anderson and 5-7 Tianna Burns, both seniors. Another senior, Shay Grilley, moves over from soccer to volleyball. Hines can use her as a libero, a defensive specialist, or a hitter.
Rounding out the varsity squad for the opening tourney are senior Mikaela Fisher, and juniors Renae Nelson, Danielle Gilley and Lexie Bartkoski. Fisher will be a right-side hitter. Gilley, Bartkoski and Grilley could fill the middle blocker role.
"We have to find the right combination of players," Hines said.
According to Hines, the Wildkats have good team chemistry — so critical in the game of volleyball where communication is a huge key.
"It's fun to see the progress they've made since last year," Hines said of the returnees.
The coach said the players are reacting to the ball well in early practices and are hitting the floor when need be.
A strength of the Wildkats, according to Hines, is that there are only two new players on the varsity squad.
"We have to build on our strengths and improve our weaknesses," she said. "Serve receive is always something we need to work on."
With Bigfork moving to Class B, that leaves just five teams in the Northwestern A Conference. Libby will be strong with 6-2 Jackie Mee finally a senior, and Polson could be a front-runner.
C-Falls had a 3-7 conference record last season.
On the Wildkat schedule this year is the Tip-off Tourney in Anaconda Sept. 11 and 12. That pits northwest versus southwest in a site rotation each season. C-Falls' home opener is Saturday, Sept. 5 against Whitefish.
Wes Knutson returns as the C-Falls junior varsity coach, and Heather Gilchrist is back to coach the freshman squad.