Scotties Back-To-Back District 2B Champs

The Glasgow Scotties traveled to Malta on Oct. 30 with the goal of achieving back-to-back championships, and they met that goal by securing first place at the District 2B tournament. Coming together as a team, reflecting upon their past matches and fixing errors that plagued them in the past, the Lady Scotties took their season's momentum and drove home their goal.

Coming into the tournament as the number one seed, their first match-up was against Poplar, whom the Scotties dominated in three, 25-11, 25-16, 25-11. In previous years the gymnasium would be filled with fans, student sections, other teams watching as well as the pep band, creating the necessary energy needed to pump up the team. This year however, as a result of COVID restrictions, the gym was missing a lot of that, requiring the teams to create their own energy in order to keep momentum up.

"It was a very different tournament feel this time. COVID has changed things for everyone and I am very proud of the girls for rising to the occasion of making the best of the situation. The whole team did a great job of talking and cheering each other on and staying involved throughout the matches," reflected Coach Somer Hoerster.

The Scotties took that momentum and energy into the Championship game against Wolf Point, where they secured the win in three, 25-16, 25-12, 25-8. The Scotties achieved 33 digs, 10 aces, 28 assists, 31 kills and eight blocks against the Wolves' 22 digs, one ace, 14 assists, 14 kills and three blocks.

Abrianna Nielson led the team in aces with three, kills with 13 and in blocks with three. "Abrianna has really grown this season and has such a huge impact for us. She can do all the things and is such a natural athlete, she is very fun to watch all across the court. There's always a chance of something brilliant about to happen when she is touching the ball," stated Hoerster.

Blaire Westby led the team in digs with six, while senior Rachelle Glaser led the team in assists with 24. "Rachelle as always, does a great job of spreading out the offense and gets some key blocks and aces for us when we need them. There is never any doubt that this matters to her and I am so proud of how she has grown and really taken on this job," reflected Hoerster.

The win against Wolf Point improved the Scotties to a 14-6 record for the season and a 10-0 record in conference play. This record allowed them to again enter as the number one seed for the Northern B Divisional tournament in Conrad.

Hoerster credits the entire team for how well they have been doing this season and admits she could brag about all of them for things they do at certain times of the match. She stresses that it truly takes everyone to be successful, highlighting all the ways the players have stepped up, stating,

"Riley [Noser] is so strong and awesome as our emotional leader. She just brings so much heart and hustle to the floor and always has something positive to say along with being so versatile in there for us across the front. She can hit from anywhere across the front, gets blocks when needed and then runs back to get some aces for us as well. There isn't anything she won't do for her team. But we also have Tyann [Graham], Abby [Engstrom], Klaire [Krumwiede], Blaire [Westby] and Daley [Aune] who all have big, key roles on our team. Abby comes in to the front and adds some fire in the middle and plays larger than her size for sure, but she's also got a great serve and is more than willing to hit the floor to make a great save. Tyann can do everything well and also plays like she is not 5'4. She worked so hard in the off season getting stronger and jumps very well, swings very hard and is a great hustler and puts up an awesome set when Rachelle has had to take the first ball. Klaire is so positive, always talking to her team and is always thinking out there about how to score and be efficient with her shots in the front. She also has a great arm swing and has developed into both a very nice outside and middle hitter. These three also do a great job of getting blocks when we need some or stepping in to set or just do whatever is needed to keep the ball in play. Then when you add in Blaire and Daley who will do anything that is asked of them, that gives us such a solid core eight players. They do a great job on serve receive, play awesome defense, smear themselves all over the floor, set if needed for a moment, pretty much whatever it takes. The biggest thing is when you can't rely on height, you have to be more versatile and these girls show day in and day out how good they are at that. I am so proud of all of them and how much they have grown this season. I can't wait to see the things they do when they are pushed hard by other opponents this next week. I also have to say, our kids on the bench have grown so much this season and it's really nice to look down the bench and have confidence in the kids sitting there if I need to call on them. The future of Scottie volleyball looks bright."

As they prepare for the Northern B Divisonal Tournament in Conrad this week Hoerster states the girls are looking forward to putting on their uniform and competing, as they have done all season. However they also want to see how they stack up against the west powerhouses. To get ready, the girls are focusing on being brave, having guts and playing consistently mentally tough, scrappy and inspired volleyball. "I tell them all the time, if we go down, it needs to be swinging. Swing hard and create mistakes on the other side of the floor," stated Hoerster.

The Lady Scotties will open up the Northern B Divisonal Tournament in Conrad on Thursday, Nov. 5, starting at 9:30 a.m. versus the tournament host the Conrad Cowgirls. A full bracket can be seen on page 8B.