Phillips County Showdown

Last Thursday night the Malta gymnasium featured plenty of hard-hitting action as the Malta M-ettes and North Country (NC) Mavericks met for the first time since the new co-op had been formed. The game went the distance as five sets were needed to determine a winner. North Country ultimately won that final match 15-11. The other scores were 25-16 NC, 25-17 Malta, 27-25 NC and 25-15 Malta.

Both teams would win the following night against different opponents. The Mavericks defeated Opheim in three sets and Malta would defeat Wolf Point in four sets.

In Thursday's showdown, Maverick sophomore Jada Sudbrack led in kills recording 13 of the team's 30. She also led in blocks with five of nine. The last two points of the game were from Sudbrack's blocking efforts.

"It feels really good to beat a Class B school," Sudbrack told the PCN. "It's just awesome; I have no way to explain it really."

Teammate Mickayla Johnson shared the sentiment.

"It feels really good," she said. "We've had some inconsistencies this season but I really think this game was a good jump start to the last half of our season. I think we're going to do great from here on out."

Peyton Chopper led the Mavericks in aces with three of the team's 10. The team recorded 37 digs and were led by Tatum Moore, who had 12. Delaney Beil had 21 of the team's 25 assists.

"I think that in this game we really clicked as a team and came together," Maverick hitter Mickayla Johnson said. "Hopefully we will be able to carry this momentum over into tournaments and kick some butt."

Johnson and Sudbrack shared their thoughts about Moore, who seemed as though she was all over the place in the later matches.

"She's just really quick and all over the place," Sudbrack said. "She can get anywhere in .2 seconds. It's amazing. She is very accurate with her