Dogs too much for Kats

WHITEFISH -Nothing left on the court.

When the Columbia Falls Wildkats walked off the volleyball court Thursday night, they had at least the satisfaction of knowing they'd done all they could against their Northwestern A rival.

That knowledge will have to be enough for the Wildkats this time around.

It was the Whitefish Bulldogs (9-0, 12-0) who got the needed sideouts to hang in when Columbia Falls (3-6, 4-8) made a final, frenzied third-game push to stay in the match.

It was Whitefish who scored the 30th point of the third game to cap a three-game victory.

Scores were 25-22, 25-16 and 30-29.

"I was so happy with our girls," Columbia Falls assistant coach Hailey Moore said.

"They stuck together, they made smart decisions, they listened to their teammates, they played with their hearts.

"It showed they're ready for state competition," she added.

Whitefish coach Jackie Fuller also gave credit to Columbia Falls.

The Bulldogs appeared to have the match well in hand.

"I felt we were in sync. The kids were playing hard. I felt we were moving well," she said.

"(The Wildkats) came on. I give credit to Columbia Falls. They had some real good things going on.

"They served well, which pulled us out of an offense," she said.

"(Setter Kate) Marcille was doing a lot - moving the ball around.

"I don't think we let down in any way," she said. "I think Columbia Falls stepped it up.

"But I was really proud of our kids for hanging in there. It was an all-around team effort."

Junior Tracy Schwada led Whitefish with 12 kills and five blocks, but the sideouts at the end were a team effort - Leah Powell had two kills in the final four points for the Bulldogs, Courtney Ferda had one and Schwada knocked down the last point.

Other leaders for Whitefish were Mandy McFadden with 19 assists and three service aces and Ashley Ferda with 13 digs.

Dani Herman led the Wildkats with 12 kills, Marcille had 28 assists, Sarah Sauter led the defensive effort with 12 digs and Shanelle Swift had three stuff blocks.

The Bulldogs close out the regular season Saturday at Bigfork while the Wildkats travel to Ronan.

Whitefish def. Columbia Falls 25-22, 25-16, 30-29

Kills - Columbia Falls 29 (Dani Herman 12), Whitefish 25 (Tracy Schwada 12); Assists - Columbia Falls 29 (Kate Marcille 28), Whitefish 19 (Mandy McFadden 19); Digs - Columbia Falls 52 (Sarah Sauter 12), Whitefish 49 (Ashley Ferda 13) ; Blocks - Columbia Falls 4 (Shanelle Swift 3), Whitefish 8 (Schwada 5) ; Aces - Columbia Falls 13 (Jenna Toole 5), Whitefish 6 (McFadden 3).