Valkyries ride five game win streak

The Valkyries continued their successful season last week, adding wins over Eureka and St. Ignatius to their now 8-2, 7-1 record.

Bigfork traveled to Eureka on Friday where they won the first two games 25-19 and 25-21, respectively.

"The girls were so excited for this game all week," said Tammi McDaniel, Bigfork's head volleyball coach. "They used that excitement to end a grueling week on the road to come out with the win. They came out full of energy to gain the momentum and hung on to it for the better part of the first two sets. We lost focus in the third set and dug ourselves a hole."

The Vals lost the third game 25-19, but rallied back to win the fourth 25-21.

"Eureka started to make a come back but it was too late," McDaniel said. "We started slow in the fourth as well, but we regained our composer to make a pretty strong come-back and cinch the win."

Senior co-captains Emily Hardman and Claire Wilken led the Vals. Hardman had 20 kills, 11 digs and five aces, while Wilken had 19 assists and seven digs. Junior Mallery Knoll contributed 11 digs and four kills.

"I have to give extra credit to Mallery Knoll as she was all over it in the back row," McDaniel said. "She said before the game started that she was going to get the short tips and she held to her word and then some. It's the scrappiest play I think I have ever seen her play. It didn't seem to matter where the ball was falling. She'd change directions if she had to and come up with it."

Senior Kelly Deaton had nine digs and sophomore Taylor Peck had eight assists and five digs.

"All the girls communicated and played well as a team," McDaniel said.

The Val's game on Sept. 29 in St. Ignatius has been described as a "dig-fest," with both teams scrapping it out for every point. The teams had a combined 244 digs by the time Bigfork clinched the match in four games.

"The volleyball official said it was the best volleyball match he has had so far this season," McDaniel said.

Bigfork again won the first two games 25-20 and 25-23 before losing the third 25-21 and then winning the fourth 25-20.

"The match wasn't without its frustrating moments as the girls had to dig themselves out of a hole a couple of times, but they kept fighting and came out on top," McDaniel said.

Hardman had 43 digs and 20 kills.

"Between sets, a spectator in the stands asked one of the girls what we feed No. 7 (Emily Hardman)," McDaniel said. "She hit one ball so hard that when it hit the floor and bounced up and hit their libero in the chin, it knocked her jaw out of alignment. She was tough though as she sat out only couple of plays and was right back in there."

Wilken had 18 assists, nine digs, six aces and five kills. Deaton had 36 digs. Knoll added 39 digs and 11 kills. Peck had 19 assists and seven digs.

"We benefited with good heads up play by Taylor Peck," McDaniel said. "She stays so alert and comes up with some pretty impressive saves with her quick reaction time."

Bigfork is finally taking a break from their four game streak on the road. They will host Thompson Falls for Homecoming on Thursday night with the freshman getting things started at 4:15 p.m., followed by the junior varsity and then the varsity teams.