Montabella

Hoyt new volleyball coach for Montabella

By John Raffel affel@pionee g oup.com

BLANCHARD — Stephanie Hoyt moves from JV coach at Montabella to varsity JV volleyball skipper this season.

“I know that the season was not as successful as we had hoped, but I did see a lot of personal improvement from girls,” Hoyt said. “For example, there was confidence and leadership when we had many injuries and players needed to be moved around. We had younger girls come up and take charge when needed. It was interesting to see girls shine and work together in those moments.

“Lauren Jordan was a great player to have on the court. She helped the team with her passing when in the back row and did her best to dominate at the net in the front row as well. Jordan Rose was both a strong hitter and great setter that graduated last year as well.”

Makenna Jensen will be a senior returner this year.

“She is a well-rounded player who will be helpful at the net with blocking and hitting,” Hoyt said. “I expect to see her grow not only on the court, but also as a leader to the team with being the one and only senior.

“I expect us to improve in some way every single day. The girls are here because they love the game, they enjoy the game, and they want to win. I expect them to come to the gym each day wanting to improve and wanting to help each other improve and do great things because at the end of the day they have to work together in order to get to those final goals that they have.”

Hoyt indicated the team aspect is going to be Montabella’s strength.

“A lot of the younger girls have been playing sports together for many years, which helps with the dynamic of both excitement and picking each other up,” Hoyt said. “It also brings out effective communication throughout the game as well, where they are talking to one another about what is going on in the moment.

“I also believe that we have a 5-5 playoff season, in which the Mustangs started off 2-4 and then won three straight to end the regular season and qualify for the playoffs. gotten a good groove on our serving and working on placing the ball strategically, which is a big part in getting the game going. We really need to make sure that we are ending the matches and season with as much hype and energy as the beginning. There were times last year that I would look out there and they would just look so defeated, but really they were not all that far behind.”

Montabella competes in the Mid-State Activities Conference.

“Breckenridge, I believe, is a strong contender within our league along with Sacred Heart,” Hoyt said. “I believe they both not only have good numbers when it comes to getting girls to play, but also they have had quite a bit of consistency with their coaching and their programs.

“I have a younger team this year, with 3 girls who have had an entire year of varsity experience. I believe that hard work and perseverance is what is going to help us compete with those teams within our

Stephanie Hoyt makes her debut as Montabella volleyball coach this season. (Courtesy photo)

Montabella football team hopes to return to playoffs

By John Raffel affel@pionee g oup.com league.”

They won their last regular season game 74-36 over Farwell to get into the playoffs,

Montabella lost to Johannseburg Lewiston 48-0 in the playoffs.

The season opens on Aug. 28 against St. Louis.

Montabela competes in the Mid-State Activities Conference.

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