Lady Trojans fall in two five-set matches

Editor's Note: The Whitehall High School volleyball team knocked off Boulder in five sets Tuesday night at home.

The Whitehall High School volleyball team battled fiercely to the end in two matches last week but was unable to pick up a victory in five set losses to Manhattan and Gardiner.

The Lady Trojans were a far different team from their first matchup against Manhattan and started strong against the Lady Tigers winning the first and third sets before falling 15-13 in the fifth and final set. In the first matchup of the season between the two teams Manhattan had swept Whitehall in three sets.

Head Coach Kyla Simon said the girls worked hard last week to get ready for Manhattan and did a good job of executing the things they worked on in practice.

"They played their hearts out and were exhausted after the game, which a great thing to feel and learn. Even though we didn't end up winning, I was proud of them," she said.

In last Saturday's road matchup at Gardiner, Simon said the team once again lost in five games which is tough.

"We have to keep our hitting and serving errors down if we're going to compete against good teams and we absolutely have to pass well," she said. "Even though both matches did not end up in our favor, it was still good for us to play two tough teams for five games each. These matches are always the best practice, and we are still hungry and still trying to improve before tournaments."

The Lady Trojans will next be in action October 24 with a senior night matchup against Three Forks.

"I'm lucky to be coaching a group that wants to compete as much as these young women do. They are going to keep working and improving and I appreciate them so much for that," Simon said.