Bravettes earn trip to state in volleyball

Flathead sweeps Big Sky in Western AA playoff match

The Daily Inter Lake

MISSOULA Flathead is headed back to the All-Class State Volleyball Tournament.

The Bravettes earned a return trip to the season ending event by knocking off Missoula Big Sky 25-17, 25-20, 25-22 on Friday in a Western AA playoff match.

Flathead (5-14) was seeded fifth and Big Sky (10-13) fourth.

Big Sky had beaten Flathead twice previously this season.

This time, we didnt let up, Flathead coach Leon Wilcox said.

We went after them and kept up the pressure the whole match.

Big Sky jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first game, but the Bravettes bounced back to win it.

The second game, it was a battle for the first half, Wilcox said.

We kept trading leads. We finally broke loose, got a four-point lead and kinda rolled with that.

Flathead broke away from an 18-all tie in the third game to get the sweep. The Bravettes final point in that game was an ace by Hana Burton.

Very pleased, Wilcox said.

Thats all I wanted for them to play their best for the whole match and let the chips fall where they may. I didnt think we would have much control over the match as we did. They exceeded my expectations. Big Sky is a very good team.

Ariel Johnson totaled 12 kills to pace the Bravettes. Danika Johnson was next with seven.

Laurie Swindall had 17 digs, and Emma Miller and Chaela Liss both had three aces.

Flathead beat Glacier in a playoff match a year ago to advance to state. The Bravettes went on to finish third.

Weve got some momentum now, Wilcox said.

The state tournament begins Thursday in Bozeman.

Kills Flathead 33 (Ariel Johnson 12, Danika Johnson 7), Big Sky 19 (Katie Showers 5, Lindsay Hall 5); Blocks Flathead 9 (D. Johnson 4, A. Johnson 3, Emma Miller 3), Big Sky 7 (Showers 4) Assists Flathead 29 (Chaela Liss 26), Big Sky 13 (Sarah Lindstrom 12); Digs Flathead 62 (Laurie Swindall 17, A. Johnson 14), Big Sky 20 (Showers 5); Aces Flathead 10 (Miller 3, Liss 3), Big Sky 7 (Jocelyn Tinkle 3).