M-ettes whack Wolf Point in three straight

The M-ettes Varsity Volleyball team took the court on Wednesday afternoon after watching the school's two younger volleyball teams sweep the competition in three straight sets in both contests. Not to be outdone by their younger counterparts, the M-ettes hammered the Lady Wolves Varsity squad 25-11, 25-15 and 25-18 to take the 3-0 win.

"These girls have done such a great job all season long," said Malta head coach Julia Tatafu. "When they step onto the court they are focused, they're intense and they are ready to get the job done. Even if they get down a little bit, they don't lose their edge."

During the announcement of the Malta starting players, each starter grabbed a small pink volleyball out of a bag and ran into the stands to give the ball to their chosen spectator in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Senior middle hitter Darby Schye ran her ball to the stands and gave it to Malta and Whitewater Lutheran Pastor Robert Nagy.

"His wife had breast cancer so that is why I gave him the ball," said Schye. "I go to the same church as he does and I know all his family."

Julie Nagy is a Breast Cancer survivor of four years and Schye said it was fitting that she give the ball to the Nagys.

"He is a great guy and they are a wonderful family," Schye said.

After the team introductions, the M-ettes made short work of the visiting Wolf Point team and marched out to a 13-5 lead following a kill by Schye, two kills from Larimie Scheffelmear and four straight serves from Adrianna Bibeau. The M-ettes then went on a 12-6 run on the back of Kaitlyn Smith who had three kills and kills by both Markelle Lett and Riley Mortenson as Malta took the first set 25-11.

The set was much like the first and the M-ettes dominated. Schye notched three kills in the set while Lett earned two, Kelsey Kuehn had four successful serves – two coming via aces – as Malta cruised to the 25-15 win to take a 2-0 lead.

In the third set, the competition got a little more even and Wolf Point managed to hang with the M-ettes midway through the final frame and the teams were tied at 10. Scheffelmear knocked her fourth kill of the third set to give the M-ettes a slim 11-10 lead and Malta found their groove once again before making a block to net point 23 and a thunderous spike to grab the game point, 25-18.

"Larimie plays awesome all the time," Schye said of her teammate. "She always knows where to be and can play the net or in the back row. She is just awesome and a great teammate."

During the regular season – not counting tournament play – the M-ettes have only lost one game all year against Plentywood (though they avenged the loss by beating Plentywood 3-0 last week.)

"Earlier in the year I don't think we were really ready," said Schye. "We wanted revenge for that loss and we were ready to win."

Malta travels to Poplar on Friday before Senior Night at home on Saturday when the M-ettes host Roundup.