'Dogs down Vals for title

COLUMBIA FALLS The Bulldogs bite matched their fans bark by downing Bigfork 22-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-11 Saturday to place first in the Northwestern A divisional volleyball tournament.

The stands were rocking as Bigfork matched its hustle against Whitefishs power. Riding a wave of momentum from an earlier win against Libby, Bigfork managed to steal the first game from Whitefish, a feat only one other team managed to do all year.

In the first game, the Valkyries got on the board in a hurry. The girls played a long rally well with diving saves and finesse shots over the net. Whitefish finally sent the ball wide right to put Bigfork up 3-1.

When the Valkyries went up 7-2, Whitefish coach Jackie Fuller called timeout and scolded her players. But Whitefishs taller front line couldnt control the games tempo as Bigfork used good passing and well-timed shots to go up 13-3.

The Bulldogs fans went silent while Bigfork started a deafening cross-gym chant.

We came out to control the tempo, Fuller said. But we didnt. Hats off to them in the first.

Alyssa Fierro, Bigforks 6-foot-3-inch middle hitter also caused trouble for Whitefish throughout the match.

Whitefish rallied and went on a 12-3 run. Ashley Ferda tied the game when she smashed the ball over the net. Her shot ricocheted off a surprised Bigfork player and flew back over the net and out of bounds.

The Bulldogs regained the serve, down 22-24, but Shalyn Aurand served long to give Bigfork the win.

I told them they needed to relax, coach Fuller said. We were still in good shape.

Whitefish took control in the second game. The girls came out and played calm and used solid passing to set up numerous power shots. The Bulldogs were aggressive, diving for balls and running into the stands.

The Valkyries grew a bit timid at the net, settling for easy tip shots instead of high-paced spikes. Whitefish didnt have much trouble handling the soft floaters.

Bigfork quickly found themselves down 13-7, but managed to crawl back into the game at 21-20.

Whitefish put the game away when Mandy McFadden set the ball for Ferda to put away.

We knew today would be intense, co-captain Tracy Schwada said. Our crowd was great they were so loud. We pulled together and won. We wanted it more.

Bigfork drew first blood in the third game, but Whitefish was ensconced in the drivers seat. The girls went up 19-10, but Bigfork rattled off seven unanswered points, causing coach Fuller to come tearing off the bench and call a timeout.

Whatever Fuller said must have worked because Whitefish put the brakes on the Valkyries comeback hopes.

Tracy Schwada and Ferda went up and stuffed Fierro at the net to win 25-20.

Ferda had a great performance with 32 digs and her constant offensive pressure at the net.

The fourth game wasnt close. Whitefish walked away with a 25-11 win.

We werent down [after losing the first match], co-captian Jessie Conners said. We knew wed do good the next three.

Bigforks strongest asset this match was its ability to win long rallies. When Bigfork kept the ball in play, the Valkyries usually won the point. Mistakes and soft play at the net cost them the match.

Both Whitefish and Bigfork earned trips to state this weekend, along with third-place Libby. Montanas high school teams will travel to Bozeman next week for the state tournament. The Bulldogs first match will be against the No. 2 seed from the Central division.

Whitefish def. Bigfork 22-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-11

Aces W 5 (Ashley Ferda 2), B 7 (Cayla Fox 4)

Kills W 56 (Tracy Schwada 16), B 33 (Mary Hall 10)

Assists W 56 (Mandy McFadden 55), B 16 (Fox 8)

Blocks W 7 (McFadden 3), B 6 (Alyssa Fierro 3)

Digs W 114 (Ferda 32), B 24 (Whitney Wilson 6, Clara Davis 6)

Libby 3, Columbia Falls 1

The Wildkats won the third game, but lost the match to Libby 25-21, 25-21, 22-25, 25-11 in loser out play at the Northwestern A divisional volleyball tournament.

Brooke Hagness and Laice Dedrick led Libbys offense with five aces, 20 digs and 20 kills between them. Shelby Barton added 34 assists for the Lady Loggers.

For Columbia Falls, Kate Marcille shouldered most of the burden, posting 20 assists and 19 digs. Monica Burns was a force at the net, adding 10 kills for her team.

Aces L 10 (Brooke Hagness 4), C 9 (Kate Marcille 2, Amber Lineberry 2, Sarah Marcille 2)

Kills L 44 (Laice Dedrick 11), C 23 (Monica Burns 10)

Assists L 40 (Shelby Barton 34), C 23 (Kate Marcille 20)

Blocks L 1 (Nichole Newman), C 1 (Kate Marcille)

Digs L 47 (Megan Wedel 11), C 73 (Kate Marcille 19, Lineberry 19)

Bigfork 3, Libby 0

Two of the games were close, but Bigfork took Libby to task, winning 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 Saturday night. The win moved Bigfork to the championship match against Whitefish and Libby placed third at the Northwestern A divisional volleyball tournament.

Libbys Sam Schultz had a solid effort with two aces, seven kills and 15 digs. Shelby Barton again led the Loggers in assists with 23.

Bigfork put together a balanced team effort with Mary Hall dominating at the net with 12 kills.

Aces L 6 (Brooke Hagness 2, Sam Schultz 2), B 6 (Cayla Fox 2, Trisha Smith 2)

Kills L 29 (Laice Dedrick 10), B 30 (Mary Hall 12)

Assists L 26 (Shelby Barton 23), B 21 (Fox 11)

Blocks L 1 (Nichole Newman), B 1 (Leslie Johnson)

Digs L 46 (Sam Schultz 15), B 12 (Hall 5)