Lady Hawks finding their rhythm

The Lady Hawks hit the road Saturday for a double header against Deer Lodge and Anaconda. The Hawks beat Deer Lodge in four and lost to Anaconda in four. Coach Sandra Kazmierczak said both teams were tough opponents and the Hawks were able to try some players in new positions.

Junior Ellie Baxter, in her first season with the volleyball team, stepped up as a setter for the Hawks and Kazmierczak was impressed with her performance. Baxter completed 11 set assists against Deer Lodge and 16 against Anaconda. Kazmierczak also noted that senior Scarlette Schwindt was back on the court for the Hawks, contributing 10 set assists in Deer Lodge and 14 in Anaconda.

In Deer Lodge, the Blue Hawks won the first two sets with matching scores of 25-21 before falling 15-25 to the Wardens. Kazmierczak said the fourth set was an exciting matchup, with the Hawks coming away with the win 34-32. The Hawks had 38 digs as a team, with Avery Burgess garnering 10 of those. She also led the team with nine kills. Abby Lane had a strong game for Thompson Falls, smashing eight kills and blocking Deer Lodge five times. Senior Elli Pardee led the defensive charge against Deer Lodge with seven kills, and McKenzie Robins served up three of Thompson’s seven aces.

“Both teams were really quick and incredible opponents,” Kazmierczak said. Against Anaconda, the Lady Hawks completed 40 digs. “They were hitting the ball hard,” she said of the Copperheads. “It was a more aggressive game but we played hard and well. We were very consistent. We tried to put the girls where they will be successful.”

The Hawks scored two aces and added points on three blocks against Anaconda. After losing the first set 17-25, the Hawks came back in the second to win 25-19. The Copperheads then won the last two sets 25-10 and 25-16. Burgess knocked down 13 of the team’s 37 kills, with Natalie Roberts adding another 12. Cheyla Irvine led the Hawks in digs against Anaconda with 10.

Now that they have a solid rotation, Kazmierczak said they can build on that and continue to improve. She said her team has great leadership and team captain Pardee is stepping up. “Her enthusiasm and the way she helps the younger players is awesome,” Kazmierczak said.

This week, the Hawks are set to travel to Charlo on Thursday and play host to Eureka on Saturday. “Both should be excellent games,” Kazmierczak stated. “I’m so pleased with where we are at as a team and the improvement we’ve already seen. The girls know their roles and they are really going to take off.” The Hawks are 2-2 overall. Their match against Eureka will be their first conference game of the season.