A pivotal match Thursday night between Williston and Dickinson, currently the No. 4 and 5 teams in the WDA, figures to give the winner a leg up heading into the WDA tournament, set to begin on Nov. 12.
Thursday’s match is set for 7 p.m. at Williston High School.
Behind the play of senior Ashley Slade, the Lady Coyotes (13-9, 5-4) are starting to play some of their best volleyball of the season.
Williston is coming off a four-game loss to Century on Saturday. And while to some, there is no such thing as a moral victories, Saturday’s effort against the Lady Patriots figures to give Williston confidence for the remainder of the season.
“We’ve picked it up a lot recently,” Slade said. “We’re getting to our peak a little later than others.”
Bismarck, Century and Jamestown appear to shoe-ins for the the state tournament, meaning there is only one spot from the WDA still up for grabs.
And while any team is capable of securing it, it seems likely that it will come down to Dickinson and Williston.
With the WDA meet to be played in Dickinson, it’s safe to say Thursday night’s match is a must-win for Williston, if it wants to build any late-season momentum.
“We know it’s going to be tough,” Slade said of getting to state. “If we keep playing like we can, we definitely can.”
Slade has been among the team leaders in digs and kills this season for Williston.
In Saturday’s loss to Century, the Williston senior finished with 24 digs and 16 kills.
And she credits her ability to step up when the occasion arises as her secret to success.
“I want the ball,” she said. “I have the drive to put the ball down and do (my) job on the court.”
Slade starting playing volleyball when she was in sixth grade.
She says the highlight of the game is when she is able to successfully put a kill down on the opponent.
After high school, Slade plans to attend college with the hope of playing volleyball. But she is unsure of where she will attend.
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