Mavs win 3, lose 1 last week

The North Country Mavericks are now 8-5 after picking up a win against Harlem in Whitewater last Tuesday night, October 6 and another win against Nashua in Hinsdale last Friday night. The team also posted a loss to Poplar last Thursday night in Saco.

In their win against Harlem, the scores were 25-16, 25-6 and 25-20.

"It was nice to keep the pace of the game up," Maverick Head Coach Kathy Siroky said about the win. "That was one thing that we've been working on all week. To dictate the pace of the game."

The Mavericks were led by Mickayla Johnson who had 10 of 26 kills.

"Mickayla led in kills but it was a balanced attack all the way around," Coach Siroky said. "Everybody contributed in one way or another."

Payton Chopper had a game leading eight aces. The team had 10 total.

"We all served well and kept our errors down which was very nice to see," Coach Siroky said.

Delaney Beil had 15 of 22 assists. Moore had seven of the team's 18 aces. Johnson and Jada Sudbrack had two blocks apiece.

In the team's loss against Poplar, the scores were 25-23, 25-22 and 25-21.

"We struggled in serve-receive passing," Coach Siroky said. "We're working on that. Everything is slowly coming together."

North Country was led by Sudbrack who had 11 kills. Johnson had four aces and four blocks. Moore had 10 digs and Beil had 19 assists.

"Once again we had a balanced attack," Coach Siroky said.

The team was without Casity Boucher who Coach Siroky describes as "Spit-fire" no matter where she is on the court.

Playing against Poplar marked the third Class B team that the Mavericks have faced in four games. Coach Siroky doesn't believe that facing those teams was exhausting for the Mavericks but rather it was more beneficial.

"I really think it helps us because it keeps the level of competition up," Coach Siroky said. "We're working on trying to get ready for tournaments –putting back to back games together. I believe we did that with these three games. Yes we lost to Poplar but getting those three back to back games will help in our preparation for tournaments."

The team bounced against district foe Nashua and beat the Porcupines in three sets. The scores were 25-13, 25-16 and 25-13.

Johnson and Sudbrack led the offensive surge with each posting 10 kills. Johnson led in blocks registering four of the team's 7.5.

"When you're six-one (Johnson) and your arm-span is quite lengthy, you have the ability to get over the net quite a ways," Coach Siroky said. "If opponents are going to hit over the net they have to go high or around her. Both her and Jada are very strong at the net right now."

Chopper had six aces. Boucher returned to play that night and had 12 of the team's 39 digs.

"It was a total effort by all on that court that night against Nashua," Coach Siroky said. "All of them stepped up.