No matter where, or who they play, the Lady Hawk volleyball team is always up to the task.

Coach Sandra Kazmierczak and her Lady Hawks thought they were going to be playing a volleyball tournament in Arlee on Sept. 22 but, after stopping in Plains on the way there that day, found out that they were instead going to be playing in the Mineral County Shootout.

After traveling down Highway 135 to St. Regis, the Hawks then went on to claim third place in the Shootout. Kazmierczak was happy with how the day ended up going against many of the Class C teams in western Montana.

"We played phenomenal volleyball against some really good Class C teams and wound up taking third place," she said. "It was a good day for the Lady Hawks."

More recently, the Lady Hawks hosted the Bigfork Vals for their homecoming match last Thursday. The Vals won that tight match 25-18, 10-25, 21-25, 27-25, 15-11, but Kazmierczak likes the way her team is playing.

"We haven't reached our peak yet but are coming along well," she said. "Our goal is to progress every time we play, and I am seeing that."

John Hamilton

DIGGING IT! Lady Hawk senior Sarah Detlaff gets down low to return a hard service against Bigfork Thursday at TFHS. Hawks will visit Troy and Mission Saturday and Tuesday.

Kazmierczak said the Hawks have also been dealing with an injury or two, and that a lot of the players have been sick, but still sees her team rounding into shape the more they play together.

The Hawks will continue their self-improvement tour this week, hosting Mission Thursday, visiting Troy Saturday and traveling to Mission next Tuesday.

Scarlette Schwindt was the Lady Hawks' statistical leader in the match with Bigfork, hammering down 12 kills and four service aces, in addition to coming up with 15 digs. Riley Wilson directed the Lady Hawk net attack with 24 assists, Sarah Detlaff hit 22 digs, Jody Detlaff spiked 11 kills and Belle Cooper had four stuff blocks.

Statistics were not available for Bigfork.