Bravette spikers knock off Big Sky

The Daily Inter Lake

Good solid volleyball.

That's what it took for the Flathead Bravette volleyball team to knock off Missoula Big Sky Saturday night.

The Bravettes (4-4) dropped the first game, then made a few rotation changes and charged back to claim the next three games. Scores were 14-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-21.

Senior outside hitter Kendalyn Habel had 12 kills and 20 digs, senior setter Sierra Olszewski turned in 28 digs and middle hitter Shaina Evans had eight kills and four blocks.

But according to Flathead coach Leon Wilcox, senior middle blocker Kaylyn Heaton was the star.

"Kaylyn wanted it. She really wanted to try to make things happen. She played the best match of her life," Wilcox said.

Heaton had nine kills.

Heaton had such a good night that Big Sky put up a triple block on her.

"They still couldn't slow her down. She really stepped up and went after it," he said. "It's a very good win. They're probably one of the top four teams in the state," Wilcox said of the Eagles.

"They're tall, their athletic. We just played really good solid volleyball. We're pretty excited. If we can keep playing like this, we'll be in pretty good shape," he said.

"The last three games (the Bravettes) just played so consistent. They never let down. They just kept fighting and we just really put the wood to (the Eagles) when we had the lead. It shows a lot of growth," he said.

Wilcox also complimented the play of Olszewski.

"She's progressing really fast. It's nice to watch. She didn't set last year, so she's got a steep learning curve ahead of her, but she's really stepped up. She really did a good job of running the offense, really being smart and using her hitters effectively," he said.

Flathead defeated Big Sky

14-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-21

Kills - Flathead 42 (Kendalyn Habel 12, Kaylyn Heaton 9, Shaina Evans 8), Big Sky 22 (Joslyn Tinkle 8), Assists - Flathead 34 (Sierra Olszewski 28), Big Sky 21 (Sarah Lindstrom 21), Blocks - Flathead 11 (Evans 4), Big Sky 11 (Katie Showers 4), Digs - Flathead 70 (Steph Elliott 21, Habel 20), Big Sky 49 (Showers 11), Aces - Flathead 8 (Megan Olszewski 4), Big Sky 9 (Lacey Phelan 4).