We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Harlem sophomore Libero Aaraya Mount makes a good pass to the Setter Saturday in Glasgow.
Lady Cat senior Ma'Lea Moore attacks the Scottie defense during Harlem's District 2B match against the Scotties. Glasgow got the better of the Lady Cats in three sets. Harlem will be home this Saturday and will honor their seniors prior to the start of their match with Wolf Point.
Throughout any given season many teams will experience a bit of a lull at some point, a time when things just aren't working. The Harlem Lady Cats are experiencing that right now. In a pair of road matches this week the Lady Cats struggled to get anything going on a consistent basis. Thursday night in Conrad they were swept by the Cowgirls. On Saturday in Glasgow, they fell in straight sets to the Scotties.
Harlem started their match Thursday with a great save from senior Jessica King and a huge block at the net from senior Ma'Lea Rider for a 2-1 lead. From that point on the Cowgirls controlled the opening set. Conrad swung their way to a 11-5 lead and a Lady Cat timeout.
A tip from junior Kaitlyn Johnson started a mini rally for the Lady Cats as they battled back to within three, 19-16. The Cowgirls responded with a run of their own to take the opening set 25-18.
Conrad continued to play well to start set number two, jumping out to a 13-4 lead early on. Sophomore Raelynne Briere set Rider for a Kill to keep the Lady Cats in striking distance 20-13. Conrad held the Lady Cats off down the stretch to win the second set 25-18. The Cowgirls completed the sweep with a 25-16 effort in set three.
Harlem looked to bounce back Saturday in Glasgow, but the Scotties had their own plans for the match. Rider scored off a nice set from King to put Harlem up 4-2. Glasgow maintained a steady attack to take a 11-8 lead. Mount made a spectacular defensive effort to keep Harlem within two, 13-11 but that would be as close as they would get in a 25-18 first set loss.
The Scotties controlled all aspects of the second set, offense, defense, serving in jumping out to 16-7 lead and a 25-9 second set win. Glasgow and the Lady Cats were even, 19-19 but the Scotties finished the match with a 25-19 win in set number three to complete the sweep.
"This was tough dropping two matches on the road," said Lady Cat Head Coach Kim Faulkinberry. "We have to start developing some set consistency rather than just play good in spurts. We have to continue to play through our struggles and bounce back."
While times were difficult this past week, it is certainly better to experience them now, while there is still time to fix things, "We can only learn from our mistakes, which will only make us better. This week doesn't get any easier with Malta, North Country and Wolf Point," said Faulkinberry.
Navigating a team through tough times starts with getting them to believe again in what they can do, "Playing and realizing that we can compete with and beat the tough teams is what we are trying to instill," said Faulkinberry. Saturday night will have an added obstacle for the coaching staff to address, "Senior night is always tough. We never know what the emotions will do to the girls. Our seniors are a great group of girls on and off the floor. I have no doubt that they will go on and do great things to finish their senior year as well as do great things in life," concluded Faulkinberry.
Harlem was in Malta on Tuesday, October 11 and results will be included in next week's paper. They will hit the road to take on North Country on Friday. Saturday the girls we be home to take on the Wolf Point Wolves. They will hold Senior Night prior to the start of the Varsity match.
Harlem will conclude the regular season schedule in Poplar on Saturday, October 22. The team will then head back to Poplar October 28-29 for the district 2B Tournament.
