The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Harlem Lady Cat Volleyball team had been on a bit of a roll recently, having won three straight matches. This past week the Lady Cats played some spirited volleyball against two quality opponents, but failed to add to their win column.

Tuesday the Lady Cats were in Malta where they dropped three tough sets to the M-ettes, 25-19, 28-26 and 25-20. Saturday Harlem was back home to take on the powerful Glasgow Scotties. The visitors took the first two sets 25-14, 25-14. The Lady Cats won set number three 27-25 before bowing out with a 25-19 setback in set number four.

Tuesday in Malta the Lady Cats were ready for a tightly played match, and matched the M-ettes serve for serve. Despite the scoreboard showing a sweep the Lady Cats were in every set until the end.

Head Coach Kim Faulkinberry addressed the teams performance in Malta, "Each set against Malta could have went our way. Malta just finished what they had to do. They did a good job of setting up the blocks against Chloe (Messerly), so Ma'Lea Moore stepped up and lead the team."

Moore tallied a team high seven Kills in the match for the Lady Cats. Senior Jessica King and senior Taya Trottier each had four while Messerly slammed home three. Overall the Lady Cats recorded two more Kills than Malta in the contest team we actually had two more kills than Malta.

King set up the hitters with eight Assists on the night. Senior Vanise Little added four more to the team tally. The Harlem defense performed very well for the Lady Cats. Senior Alexus Cochran dug up 14 balls while Trottier recorded 12. "Nobody likes to lose, but we are moving in the right direction and really competing with the top teams," added Faulkinberry.

Saturday against the Districts top team, the Glasgow Scotties, the Lady Cats started slow, before finishing strong and winning a set.

"The girls really played within themselves and trusted each other on Saturday. Chloe Messerly was smashing the ball leading all hitters," said Faulkinberry. Messerly powered home 15 Kills in the match while King had six.

"We really have to get our other hitters more effective. They are getting the attempts, but are out of position some and are hitting long or into the net. Our front row defense needs to be more effective in blocking as we didn't have any stuff blocks against Glasgow," commented Faulkinberry. "Our back row did a great job digging. Taya Trottier and Jessica King each had 12 digs.

While the week may not have produced any wins, it did follow a streak of three straight and added to the teams confidence heading down the home stretch.

"Overall I am happy with us not just rolling over against the top teams in our district. If anything this should give them confidence going into the final stretch and into tournament time where anything can happen," concluded Faulkinberry.

Harlem will close out the regular season with three straight home matches. The Lady Cats host the Wolf Point Wolves this Saturday in the only match this week.

They will then welcome the Rocky Boy Morning Starts to town on Thursday, October 21 and will recognize their seniors prior to the start of the match.

Harlem's final game before the District 2B Tournament will be Saturday, October 23 against the Poplar Indians.