Mavs, M-ettes Clash in Whitewater

The Malta Volleyball Team and North Country Maverick Volleyball Team clashed in a Tuesday, September 13, meeting of undefeated teams in the Penguin Palace in Whitewater.

Though Malta swept North Country last season, the Mavericks won this match 3-2. The scores were NC 20 - M 25, NC 25 - M 20, NC 25 - M 20, NC 23 - M 25, and NC 15 - M 10.

Teagan Erickson led the charge for North Country with 16 kills, 18 digs, and two blocks. Paige Wasson had 12 kills and 15 assists. Kora LaBrie and Kendall Scheffelmear each had 17 digs.

LaBrie, a Whitewater senior, was asked how it felt to get a win in her home gym.

"It feels good because last year Malta beat us both times," LaBrie said. "So, we really wanted to get out there and get them this year."

Malta was led by Alison Kunze, who had seven kills. Madison Williamson, Denvyr Tuss, and Giona Lamb each had five kills. Tuss had four blocks. Isabel Hansen had 26 digs and six aces.

Maverick Mattea McColly, a Hinsdale senior, was asked what the key to their win was.

"I guess just pulling through mentally as well as making sure that we are all on the same page and we are all on the same flow," McColly said.

The Mavericks survived a three-game weekend that included a 1 a.m. arrival home on Saturday, September 10, followed by a double-header, that same day. They won all three games. Then they pulled off a late win against Malta.

"We travel a lot during the season and like the coaches say, that's what makes us tough," LaBrie said. "So we really had to pull through and be mentally tough to get through all of the games that we had this past week."

The Mavericks traveled to Hinsdale on Saturday, September 17, and defeated Scobey 3-0. The scores were NC 25 - S 19, NC 25 - S 11, and NC 25 - S 17.

The Mavs were led by T. Erickson who had 27 kills, a career-high. Wasson had 24 assists, LaBrie had 18 digs, Cienna Strommen and Wasson each had three aces and BaiLee McColly had three blocks.

Malta went on to face Harlem in Malta on Thursday, September 15 and won 3-0. The scores were 25-6, 25-16, and 25-17. They then defeated Wolf Point 3-0 in Wolf Point on Saturday, September 17. The scores were 25-13, 26-24, and 25-23.

The M-ettes will have their hands full again this week as they travel to Shelby on Friday, September 23. They will then head to Choteau on Saturday, September 24, for the Choteau Mid-Season Invitational.

The Mavericks will go to Harlem on Thursday, September 22, to take on the Wildcats at 5 p.m. They will then travel to Lustre to face the Lions at 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 24.