Lions, Bulldogs in semis

The Daily Inter Lake

BOZEMAN On to the semifinals.

And another date with Missoula Loyola.

Eureka knocked off the two-time defending state champion Huntley-Project Red Devils in the opening round 13-25, 25-17, 23-25, 25-14, 17-15 Thursday and then came back to finish off Three Forks 25-15, 25-12, 25-13 on opening-day play of the Class B state volleyball tournament.

The kids are pretty excited, said Eureka coach Rhonda Hammond.

We didnt play real well (against Huntley-Project). We struggled in every aspect of the game, but the kids didnt quit.

Tonight we played real well (versus Three Forks). Our passing was so good. That was kinda the key for us.

Amy Roberts led Eureka in aces, seven, and kills, 20, versus Three Forks. She shared the blocks lead with KaeDee Shay, two each.

Ali Zauner had 39 assists and 13 digs to lead in those two categories.

Roberts had 10 aces and 23 kills against Huntley-Project.

Briann Linnell led in blocks, eight, while Zauner finished with 39 assists and 22 digs.

Eureka faces Loyola tonight at 6 p.m. That winner advances to the title match on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Loyola downed Roundup and Choteau to advance.

Loyola defeated Eureka in last weeks Western B divisional final and in regular-season play. Eureka, however, beat Loyola in the final at the Showcase Invitational.

Eureka wasnt the only local school reaching the semifinals.

Whitefish, defending champions in Class A, polished off Lewistown 25-15, 25-17, 25-17 and then was forced to go four games before dispensing with Anaconda 23-25, 25-15, 25-22, 25-17.

Ashley Ferda had 15 kills in the opener and 26 digs. Tracy Swada was tops in blocks with five.

Jessie Conners led in aces, five, and Mandy McFadden finished with 34 assists.

Against Anaconda, Schwada had 11 kills and four blocks. Conners had 28 digs and three aces and McFadden 36 assists.

Shalyn Aurand also finished with three aces.

Whitefish now faces Hardin at 6 p.m. in a rematch of last years final.

Bigfork got off to a tough start, falling to Havre 25-13, 25-13, 19-25, 25-10.

Alyssa Fierro had seven kills and three blocks. Leslie Johnson also had three blocks.

Mary Hall led in digs, 13, and Cayla Fox had eight assists and three aces.

Trisha Smith and Sami Wade also had three aces.

Bigfork faces Corvallis at noon in a loser-out contest.

In Class AA, Flathead upended Billings West 15-25, 25-20, 25-15, 25-20 before falling in the quarterfinals to Billings Senior 25-22, 23-35, 25-14, 25-21.

Kristina Ylinen had 14 kills for the Bravettes and Chelsea Vaudt 10 against West. Ylinen also led in blocks, 12, while Holli Hashley finished with 14 digs.

Versus Senior, Hashley had nine kills and 25 digs. Vaudt and Ylinen both had eight blocks.

Chelsea Latimer recored 14 assits.

Flathead is back court at 2 p.m. to meet Great Falls High/Helena Capital winner. That match is scheduled for 10 a.m.