Flathead, Glacier draw tough openers for state volleyball
By DAVID LESNICK/The Daily Inter Lake
It's a return engagement for Flathead, while Glacier is making its first appearance in the Class AA State Volleyball Tournament.
The Bravettes, third-placers last year, and Wolfpack both advanced with playoff victories last week. Flathead, 5-14, and Glacier, 13-9, beat Missoula Big Sky and Missoula Hellgate, respectively, by 3-0 scores.
Flathead opens state play today in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on the campus of Montana State University at 10 a.m. versus three-time defending state champion Billings Senior.
Glacier starts with Billings West, last year's state runner-up, at 4 p.m.
Victories by Flathead and Glacier would have them back in action at 6 and 8 p.m., respectively. If they lose, they play early Friday.
Senior, 27-0, has won 61 straight matches.
West enters with a 21-7 mark.
"We've got nothing to lose and they're trying to keep their record, they're streak," Flathead coach Leon Wilcox said.
"I've got a feeling (that they think) were not gonna be that much of a bump in their road.
"Billings Senior is phenomenally athletic," he continued.
"They're fast, but I know we might be overlooked. Who knows, we might give them a little surprise."
And that - being overlooked - could be a good thing for Flathead.
Something else that might help is West will have a 12-day break between its final regular-season game and the match with Flathead. It's a more normal six-day stretch for Flathead from its playoff match to state.
Wilcox says the Bravettes gained a little momentum with the playoff victory, and at the same time, gained some confidence.
"Our kids are happy to have made it to state," he said.
"They are excited to go out and play hard against anybody, and it might as well be Senior."
Senior and Flathead did not meet at state last year, but did play a nonleague match in Great Falls earlier this season.
"They beat us in three the night before (the Great Falls Invitational)," Wilcox said.
"We don't look like anything the last time we played them, so they won't have much on us. Our team is getting better and better. We'll give them a game."
Wilcox says Senior is very machine-like on the court.
"They are so practiced, they're steady," he said.
"They efficient. We have to find a way to rattle them a little bit, if we can. Nobody has been able to do that, but anything can happen at state."
Wilcox says the team that blocks the best should come out on top.
"If we can get some good blocks up, maybe that will rattle them a little bit," he said.
Glacier has just two players - seniors Emilee Hashley and Kayla Smart - who have state tournament experience. They advanced with Flathead their sophomore seasons.
Glacier and West did not play this fall.
"They are a very consistent team," Glacier coach Christy Harkins said.
"They don't make very many mistakes."
Harkins said West has good hitters in the middle and outside, along with a solid setter.
"They have just about everything," she said.
Harkins likes the fact that her team will play the final match in the opening round.
"It will give them some time to watch and see what's going on," she said.
"We have to understand the intensity level of the state tournament. West has been at state year upon year upon year, so they have that tradition."
Glacier enjoyed a stellar season, finishing third in league play. The Wolfpack have also won six-straight matches.
"We have good momentum," Harkins said.
"We're playing the best we ever have in Glacier history."
Flathead's Starting Lineup
Emma Miller, sr., middle blocker; Chaela Liss, sr., setter; Laurie Swindall, sr., libero; Ariel Johnson, sr., rightside hitter; Hana Burton, sr., outside hitter; Megan Olszewski, sr., defensive specialist.
Glacier's Starting Lineup
Emilee Hashley, sr., middle hitter; Lindsea Vaudt, sr., setter; Kadie Latimer, sr., outside hitter; Rachel Cutler, so., outside hitter; Kendra Bouley, so, middle hitter; Lexy Boschee, fr., outside hitter; Kayla Smart, sr., libero.
High School
All-Class State Tournament
At Bozeman
MSU's Brick Breeden Fieldhouse
Thursday's Pairings
First-Round Matches
Class AA
10 a.m. - Billings Senior vs. Flathead
Noon - Great Falls High vs. Missoula Sentinel
2 p.m. - Helena High vs. C.M. Russell
4 p.m. - Glacier vs. Billings West
Class A
10 a.m. - Miles City vs. Dillon
Noon - Lewistown vs. Polson
2 p.m. - Libby vs. Belgrade
4 p.m. - Anaconda vs. Billings Central
Class B
10 a.m. - Manhattan Christian vs. Florence/Carlton
Noon - Choteau vs. Townsend
2 p.m. - Colstrip vs. Fairfield
4 p.m. - Missoula Loyola vs. Huntley Project
Class C
10 a.m. - Highwood vs. Bridger
Noon - Gardiner vs. Circle
2 p.m. - Absarokee vs. Simms
4 p.m. - Saco/Hinsdale vs. White Sulphur Springs
NOTE: Championship matches Saturday at 1 p.m. for Classes AA and C, 3 p.m. for A and B