Asking a Flathead Bravette volleyball player what it takes to win the state title yields a response that has shades of psychology.
The Bravette will tell you that the differences between going home empty handed and hoisting the shiny trophy at year’s end are decided only partly by what goes on inside the painted lines and largely by what goes on inside their heads.
The word “mental,” as attached to “consistency” and “toughness,” comes up frequently in conversation, as does the concept of “not playing inside our heads.” Which is a way of saying, “just play.”
At some point, the players know that too much thinking may actually hinder the raw athleticism and talent they have throughout their roster.
“We need to focus just on playing,” senior setter Alison Lunde said. “When we get inside our own heads a lot, we get in slumps. If we just play, we can make it there.”
When Lunde says “there” she is referring to the state championship. And she is not alone in her belief that this Flathead team is a legitimate title contender.
In last week’s Class AA power poll, the Bravettes were ranked third overall behind Helena High and Billings Senior and second in Western AA. Flathead’s record is 16-8, including 8-3 in league. The Bravettes lost to top-ranked Helena on Oct. 20 but then rebounded with a win over Helena Capital the following day.
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Head volleyball coach Leon Wilcox, right, keeps track of points as the Bravettes play a team game during practice at Flathead High School. |
Flathead has one remaining regular season match on Oct. 29 at home against Missoula Big Sky. The state tournament is held Nov. 10-12 at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman.
“This is the best team I’ve played on for sure,” senior hitter Kylie Schlegel said. “We all know we have the talent but we need the consistent mental toughness to win it all.”
Flathead is indeed talented. What opponents likely notice first is the team’s imposing front line, which is able to rotate no fewer than five 6-footers, including Schlegel, 6-3 junior Kwyn Johnson and all-state senior Hannah Sackett.
“All of our hitters are very capable of putting the ball away when we need to,” Schlegel said.
But the team’s talent does not stop up front. Lunde is an all-conference setter, while every other position on the court at any time is filled by a capable athlete. Head coach Leon Wilcox said he has been pleased by the team’s improved back-row defense.
“We’re solid at six positions,” Wilcox said. “Not many teams have that. It’s quite a blessing.”
Earlier in the month, the Bravettes traveled to Spokane for the 64-team Crossover Classic volleyball tournament. Wilcox said it’s the first time he’s aware of that a Montana team has participated in the tournament and the players said many of the opponents had no clue where the Flathead Valley is. The Bravettes finished third.
“They didn’t know anything about us, but we left our mark,” Schlegel said.
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Flathead’s Cassie Krueger, center, eyes a spike during practice at Flathead High School. |
The third-place finish against a field loaded with high-quality, out-of-state opponents gave the players renewed confidence, which Schlegel said has shown in the energy level at practices.
“Looking at the teams we beat,” Wilcox said, “says a lot about what we can do when we’re not in our heads.”
In Wilcox’s five years as head coach, the Bravettes have made it to the Class AA state tournament each year, including a third-place finish in 2007. Flathead High’s lone state title came in 2001.
Wilcox has worked with this year’s seniors since they were in eighth grade. Led by those talented seniors, he believes his team – which has been playing “determined” and “with a sense of purpose” – has the tools to make a deep run at state.
“It’s been five years of developing them and watching them grow,” Wilcox said of his seniors. “This is kind of the culmination of those five years of work. If anybody’s hungry, it’s those seniors.
“It’s their last shot. I think they’re especially keen to go all the way.”