Wolfpack enters AA volleyball playoffs with hot hands
By DAVID LESNICK/The Daily Inter Lake
Motivation played a big part in Glacier's late season success on the volleyball court.
The Wolfpack (8-4 league, 12-9 overall) won their final five matches to claim the No. 3 seed for this week's Western AA playoffs. As a result, Glacier hosts Missoula Hellgate (3-9, 6-15), the No. 6 seed, tonight at 7 with the victor advancing to the state tournament in Bozeman the following weekend.
"We played in a 3-6 playoff game last year, but we were sixth," Glacier coach Christy Harkins said.
And the team Glacier faced a year ago in the playoff match was Flathead, the No. 3 seed. The Bravettes won that encounter, advancing to state where they finished third.
"Honestly, that motivated us," Harkins said of finishing high enough to avoid another crosstown playoff battle.
"We worked hard to stay out of fourth place, to get the wins to stay in third.
"Besides the stress of the crosstown, you want both teams (Glacier and Flathead) to represent your city in the state tournament," she added.
"If you are busy knocking each other out, you can't do that."
And it's a good thing Glacier finished third this fall. Fourth-seeded Missoula Big Sky (6-6, 10-12) hosts No. 5 Flathead (3-9, 4-14), on Friday in a playoff match.
"As a team, the girls wanted to host a home playoff game," Harkins said of a team goal.
"That means you have to finish third or fourth.
"I had a couple of personal goals for this team. We had four wins last year overall. One of my goals was to double that this year."
This marks the third time around for Glacier and Hellgate this fall. The Wolfpack won in Missoula two weeks ago in three games. In an earlier meeting at Glacier, the Wolfpack came out on top in four.
"Hellgate has been improving dramatically the last couple of weeks," Harkins said.
"This is their best conference finish in awhile. They have some very talented middle hitters. They play great defense.
"Quite honestly, they got to like this matchup," Harkins added.
"They are playing a team that has never gone to the state tournament."
Hellgate has tried to neutralize Glacier standout Emilee Hashley in the previous meetings.
"They put up a triple block on her," Harkins said.
"I don't know (if it worked that well). I know that's pretty key for them to limit Emilee as much as possible."
Hashley, however, has drawn that kind of attention from many Western AA teams this year.
"Exactly," Harkins said.
"I anticipate she will handle that (double and triple blocks) just fine. Emilee has been playing very well the last few weeks of the season."
Joining Hashley, a senior middle hitter, in Glacier's starting lineup tonight will be Lindsea Vaudt, sr., setter; Kadie Latimer, sr., outside hitter; Rachel Cutler, so., outside hitter; Kendra Bouley, so, middle hitter; Lexy Boschee, fr., outside hitter; and Kayla Smart, sr., libero.
The Wolfpack hopes fans show their support for this match by wearing white. They have held a whiteout night and a blueout night in previous matches.
"Some consistency, that's what I've seen since the Missoula tournament," Harkins said of what's led to her team's successful run down the stretch.
"We had a concrete starting lineup, consistency in rotations. Kids were use to playing with each other. They just stepped up and became more consistent with their efforts as well."
Volleyball Playoffs
Western AA
All matches 7 p.m.
Today
Helena Capital (2-10, 3-18) at Missoula Sentinel (10-2, 17-5)
Missoula Hellgate (3-9, 6-15) at Glacier (8-4, 12-9)
Friday
Flathead (3-9, 4-14) at Missoula Big Sky (6-6, 10-12)
Eastern AA
Today
Butte (1-11, 7-16) at Billings West (9-3, 21-7)
Friday
C.M. Russell (2-10, 6-15) at Bozeman (8-4, 17-8)
Billings Skyview (5-7, 13-13) at Great Falls (5-7, 9-12)
Western AA
Final Regular Season Standings
League Overall
W L W L
Helena High 10 2 17 5
Missoula Sentinel 10 2 17 5
Glacier 8 4 12 9
Missoula Big Sky 6 6 10 12
Flathead 3 9 4 14
Missoula Hellgate 3 9 6 15
Helena Capital 2 10 3 18
Eastern AA
W L W L
Billings Senior 12 0 27 0
Billings West 9 3 21 7
Bozeman 8 4 17 8
Great Falls High 5 7 9 12
Billings Skyview 5 7 13 13
C.M. Russell 2 10 6 15
Helena Capital 2 10 3 18
Butte 1 11 7 16