Lady Trojans finish strong in home opener

There is no quit in the Whitehall High School volleyball team.

After losing two tough sets to start their home opener 25-15, 25-12 to Manhattan, the Lady Trojans came back strong in the third. While they ended up coming short 25-21, head coach Sage Hengst though the third set was great for the team.

"We showed Manhattan we can play at their level. We had some great vollies in the first two matches but it just wasn't enough momentum to keep us up with Manhattan's constant hard hits," she said. "The girls came out into the third match with their heads up, not wanting to end the game there. I was impressed that they didn't just lay down and call it quits."

Whitehall has now played two conference games and Hengst feels her team has what it takes to compete.

"We just need to have that steady competitiveness through out each game. It's just going to come with time and practice," she said.

During the first two sets , Hengst felt the teams biggest issue was serving.

"Missing a serve or sending it out of bounds not only gives the other team a free point but it changes our intensity level. Our serve receive was also another struggle through out the match," she said.

The first-year coach also praised the crowd who showed up last Thursday.

"The crowd was noticed by the girls. People who came to watch the games got the ladies more excited to compete and I think helped them be more sure of the fact that they can hit hard and make great moves on the court. It helped get the girl's intensity levels up," she said.

The Lady Trojans played last night at Anaconda. Please check for scores at http://www.whitehallledger.com.

The team will next play September 13 when they host at Deer Lodge.

The junior varsity action is set to start at 5 p.m.