By The Carroll College women’s volleyball team faced off against Rocky Mountain College on Oct. 20 and Montana Western on Oct. 25. These games were a chance for redemption for the Saints after falling to both teams in three sets earlier in the season. The Saints also battled the University of Providence on Oct. 27.
The Saint’s fell to Rocky in four sets despite a great effort.
Avery Kelly, a junior middle hitter from Butte, is studying accounting and strategic finance.
“As a team, I thought we played pretty well,” said Kelly. “Rocky’s a good team and we fought hard and were right there with them, but we just need to learn to finish. It feels good knowing we’re getting closer and closer to picking up a win, and hopefully we can bring it against Western.”
In their following game against Montana Western, the Saints lost another hard-fought battle in four sets.
Mara Lynch, a senior from Bozeman, Montana, led the team in kills in their last two games, earning 17 kills against Rocky and another 16 against Western.
The team has been struggling with multiple injuries from key players and has seen new talent step up this season.
“It’s really unfortunate that some key players are out for the season, and it’s forced some younger girls into taking on big roles,” said Hannah Schweikert, a junior setter studying civil engineering from Columbia Falls, Montana. “It’s a big learning experience for everyone, and it’s been a rough start, but there is some real progress being made.”
The Saints have moved to a record of 5-19.
“So far this season, we have been through a lot of diversity,” said Maddie Wilkes, a senior defensive specialist majoring in elementary education from Pocatello, Idaho. “We’ve had players get hurt and others playing positions they’ve never played, all while still loving the game. If each game we keep getting better and better, I know we will be quite the surprise during tournament time.”
Their following game was on Oct. 27 in Great Falls against the University of Providence.
Lynch finished with nine kills and 12 digs, leading the team offensively and defensively.
Unfortunately, the Saints lost in three sets but look to bounce back on Nov. 1 against Montana State University-Northern.
With only two games left in the regular season, the Saints hope to finish strong.
