Three Forks Volleyball shows growth at two-day Choteau Invitational

After a busy two days of action at last week's Choteau Invitational, the Three Forks High School Volleyball team will continue its packed schedule, opening their home season with a September 3 matchup against Manhattan and September 5 against Townsend. The Wolves will wrap up the week on September 7 at Lone Peak.

New Head Coach Jodi Sampson was happy with her team's growth in Choteau, where they advanced to Saturday's Gold Bracket.

Looking back on the first day in Choteau, Sampson said the team definitely came out with a lot of nerves but improved as the day progressed.

"As far as in practice, I thought we were really ready, and the girls were looking great. A lot of the newness at the very start of Friday was rough, just a deer in the headlights type of thing. But by the end of Friday, we really started to put it together," said Sampson. We started to get to know each other a little better on the court and get rid of the nerves. I was definitely very happy with how things turned out and the growth that happened over the weekend."

As the team readies to start conference play this week, Sampson felt the numerous matches in Choteau were a great experience for Three Forks.

"That's where we find out our biggest weaknesses, find out some of our strengths, and just get a look at the other teams. It was a perfect way to start the season," she said.

After competing with 14 other teams in Choteau, Sampson said by the middle of the invite, they started to serve really well as a team and were competitive with strong teams like Florence.

"I think with our personnel and what we have going on pound for pound, we can really compete with some of the top teams around. It's just really a matter of getting to know each other on the court."

It will also be a special opportunity for Sampson this season as she is joined on the staff by her daughters, Jena McBride and Josi Kelly, both of whom played college volleyball.

"It's part of a dream come true. To be able to have their experience and also their ability to connect with the girls, I feel like we have the whole package. My daughters have both played collegiately and have experienced a lot of things. I think the sky's the limit. We're ready, and we're excited," Sampson said.

McBride, who played NCAA D1 Volleyball at Baylor and the University of Montana, said she had a lot of great moments with her mom as her coach before college and loves being able to coach with her now.

"It's so fun. It's really special," McBride said.

According to Sampson, this year's team includes many girls who are playing new positions, including setter Maddie Tesoro.

"She took on the role of being setter and is doing amazing. She is a hard worker and has so much ability. That's exciting but also new and challenging," she said.

On the outside, Sampson said the team has three really strong players: Natalee Hayder, Ciel Gayle, and Mikayla Lear. She added all three can pass well and play great defense.

Sampson said that Three Forks is also strong in the defensive positions, with Libero Kennedy Rogers and DS Hailey Williams.

"We have the makings of some really good stuff; it's just a matter of continuing to put it together and for them to connect as a team. It takes a little bit of time. As long as we keep working hard on that, I'm optimistic about being very competitive this year," Sampson said.