More than suffering a general malaise, the Plains Trotters were downright sick as a team last week.

Speaking through a stuffed nose herself Monday evening, coach Jesse Butcher said most of her team was under the weather last week and it showed in the results, as the Trotters were blown out by Thompson Falls 25-12, 25-20, 25-21 by the Lady Hawks in Thompson Falls Sept. 17, and then fought to a no-place finish in the Arlee Tournament Saturday.

Normally a hot serving team so far this season, the Trotters struggled with serving and service returning against the Hawks.

“It seemed like all our girls were a little off that night, and our serving percentage was like 10% off from what it normally is,” Butcher said. “That’s not to take anything away from Thompson Falls though, they really performed well.”

Named the Western Montana Athlete of the Week last week by a Missoula newspaper, Kylee Altmiller led the Trotters in Thompson Falls with 10 kills and three blocks, Izzy Butcher passed off 11 assists, Miera Loberg smacked six service aces and Audrey Brown bumped up a team-high 16 digs.

See other story for detail on Thompson Falls efforts in the match.

Butcher said her Trotters played well in the Arlee tourney Saturday, but that they lost out to eventual champion Hot Springs in the semifinals. Altmiller was sick and did not make the trip.

“Madison Elliott stepped in as our middle blocker and did a very good job,” Butcher said. “It hurt not having Kylee but it gave some of our other kids some good prime playing time.”

Butcher said the highlight for the Trotters Saturday was a victory over Class B Loyola which prevented the Breakers from making it into the semifinal round.