September 8, 2015

Comets open season with loss to Trenton

By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor

If the Trenton fans were listening to Alexander’s enthusiastic crowd, they would have thought that the Comets were dominating the Tigers in volleyball action on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
But, if those fans looked at the scoreboard, they knew the match was being easily won by the visiting Tigers.
But then you have to excuse Alexander’s fans, who erupted with “Here we go Comets, Here we go!” cheers with each and every point their team scored.
After all, not only was Tuesday’s game against Trenton their first home game of the season, it was also the first time that Alexander had fielded a varsity team in 11 years.
So excuse the Comets’ fans for whooping it up with every point their team scored.
While the Comets lost three straight games to Trenton by scores of 25-4, 25-9 and 25-16, Tana Turcotte, Alexander’s head coach, was pleased with her team’s first outing.
“We’re a young team,” stated Turcotte. “We played well in our first game against a strong Trenton team. And I don’t think that anyone can count us out by the end of the regular season.”
But from Tuesday’s opening game to the District Tournament, Alexander is going to have a long learning curve.
“We only have eight girls out for varsity volleyball,” states Turcotte. “Of those, three played previously with Watford City under a co-op agreement. “The other five girls have very limited experience playing volleyball.”
That lack of playing experience was clearly evident against the Tigers as Alexander’s miscues in returning serves and setting the ball to the front line proved costly.
“We need to get better at a lot of things,” stated Turcotte. “But the girls are eager to learn. And that is what is important.”

WATFORD CITY WEATHER