The Cody Filly Volleyball team is set for postseason play. The Fillies finished their 2020 campaign 10-8 on the season, 2-4 in league play. Now they get set for the regional tournament which is a single-elimination match, winner qualifies for State, loser has their season come to an end. Cody will be going up against Natrona County, a team their all to familiar with and an opponent they’re eager to face. Prior to the playoff match Head Coach Stephanie Birch takes a step back to reflect on this year’s season.
“It’s been a season where we have just been grateful for every day. Honestly. We were told at the beginning of the season to be prepared to be done at any time and so each day, and each week and each time we’ve been able to take the court has really been a blessing for us.”
While Natrona may have the upper hand on Cody this season that doesn’t mean the Fillies are any less confident going into this match-up.
“I told the girls yesterday, I feel bad for Natrona in a way, because they have no idea which line-up to prepare for us. Each time we’ve played them it was with a completely different line-up. So we have not put our normal starting seven against them yet. They have no idea who we’re going to be playing in our game. We’re really hard for them to prepare for. With that said, we do know that they’ve had a consistent line-up. Their go to player is their Middle Blocker. So we have to serve tough enough that they can’t set her.”
One of the reasons the Fillies go into this match-up with so much confidence is for the first time this season they will deploy their actual starting line-up vs. Natrona. According to Brittan Bower their versatility gives them a huge advantage.
“I think it’s so important how versatile our team is. We’re in an awesome position with the fact that we do just have to win one game this year. I think that it’s really great for us going to (play) Natrona since they haven’t seen this line-up that we’re going to bring yet. Everybody really holds their own and plays hard in their position. So I think that we’re going to get them. I know we’re going to get them… So I’m excited.”
Cody has played Natrona County tough both times this year. They got on top early last time before faltering and Brittan adds the importance of playing at the top of their game for the full match.
“We all know, from an individual perspective, that we all need to be at our personal best and do everything that we can to contribute to the team. I think another thing that’s really important is we have awesome access to film and different keys that are really going to help us with the game. I think if we come out hard and each of us just play our very best, that it’s not going to be a problem for us to get out quick on them and keep the momentum and lead.”
Grace Shaffer goes on to talk about trust and how important that is to this years group. They all trust each other and have one anther’s back. Grace adds if that continues and they fine tune some of the X’s and O’s they’ll be just fine.
“So I think what we’re really focusing on really is defense and serving because, something that coach told us yesterday is that Natrona hasn’t seen our actual team. They’ve seen two versions of our team and now we have everybody back. Things are going really good. So we’re focusing on doing all the right things and learning to execute and learning to get them out of system, especially in serving.”
This Filly squad is full of play-makers and Grace adds one name to watch that could be instrumental to Cody’s success.
“I think Reece Niemann has shown not only just hitting but those rotations where she has to play in the Libero position for a little bit until the other team gets the point because there have been times where she’s gotten so many digs and touches, where you wouldn’t expect a really tall Middle to pick up.”
It’s the Cody Fillies vs. the Natrona County Fillies. All that action gets underway today at 2:30pm. Winner advances to State, loser has their season ended. Stay tuned to the Big Horn Radio Network for results.
