Glacier, Flathead lose out in state volleyball tourney
By DIXIE KNUTSON/The Daily Inter Lake
BOZEMAN - So close.
The Glacier Wolfpack was four points from its first state volleyball tournament victory on Friday.
The Wolfpack, up two games to one, led the fourth game 21-16 and appeared set to win its first match ever at the All-Class State Volleyball Tournament.
But in the end, it was the CMR Rustlers who used their never-say-die defensive skills and their state savvy to pull out a 5-set victory. Scores were 22-25, 25-21, 23-25, 26-24, 15-9.
"I was proud of my team for the way they worked and the way they hustled," said Glacier coach Christy Harkins.
"For their first experience at the state tournament, we did some things well.
"But credit CMR. That's how they got here. They fought and scrapped their way here. They play good defense. They're well-coached, they're well-disciplined and they have a lot of shots. They're a good team," Harkins added.
"But I was really proud of the Wolfpack and its first state showing," she said.
"A year ago, we weren't here. We weren't even close to being here. So, we're making strides. The seniors have left a good legacy," she said.
"And I thought my seniors worked their tails off. Jolee (Kampf) had a great game today. She had some kills and really contributed. Kayla (Smart) was amazing. Our outsides were better today," she said.
Hashley led Glacier with 14 kills and eight blocks.
The Wolfpack, behind the serving of middle hitter Kendra Bouley and the front row play of Emilee Hashley and Rachel Cutler, had built itself a cushy 5-point advantage. The Wolfpack even had two match points.
But the Rustlers hustled their way back into that game and in the end, Glacier had two hitting errors and gave up a block.
That put the match into a fifth game. CMR took control of that one about midway through and rolled.
"Game 5 wasn't as tight as we wanted it to be. It was no one person, no one thing," Harkins said.
"In my opinion, CMR's experience really showed. They have a lot of different shots."
Glacier returns next year with a good young group. Outside hitter Lexy Boschee, who recorded 12 kills, is a freshman, and fellow outside Cutler, who had 11 kills, is a sophomore. Middle hitter Bouley, who served five aces, is a sophomore.
The Wolfpack will graduate six seniors, including Hashley, setter Lindsea Vaudt, libero Smart, Kampf, outside hitter Kadie Latimer and defensive specialist Ali Armstrong.
Kills: Glacier 49 (Emilee Hashley 14, Lexy Boschee 12, Rachel Cutler 11), CMR 58 (Josey Linskey 19, Taylor Kirkendahl 15), Assists: Glacier 38 (Lindsea Vaudt 37), CMR 43 (Allison Sidor 25, Katy Klick 15); Blocks: Glacier 13 (Hashley 8), CMR 7 (Linskey 4), Digs: Glacier 117 (Kayla Smart 37, Kendra Bouley 23), CMR 80 (Jessie Morrin 20, Kirkendahl 11); Aces: Glacier 6 (Bouley 5), CMR 8 (Ashleigh Geigor 3, Tara Slaughter 2, Kirkendahl 1).
Great Falls 3, Flathead 1
BOZEMAN - Hana Burton had nine kills and Emma Miller added six kills and six blocks, but it wasn't quite enough for the Flathead Bravettes volleyball team.
The Bravettes fell to Great Falls High Friday morning in loser-out play.
Great Falls defeated Flathead 25-21, 15-25, 26-24, 25-18.
Chaela Liss added 23 assists and Laurie Swindall had 24 digs for Flathead.
The Bravettes graduate six seniors from this team, including outside hitter Ariel Johnson, Miller, Liss, Swindall, defensive specialist Megan Olszewski, and Burton.
But they also return a good group, including freshman outside hitter Hannah Sackett, sophomore middle Danika Johnson and juniors Hannah Phillips, Tiffany Habel, Jaimee Zorn and Anika Thorderson.
Kills: Flathead 31 (Hana Burton 9, Emma Miller 6), Great Falls 31 (Lacey Beaumont 11, Kenzee Wright 9), Assists: Flathead 26 (Chaela Liss 23), Great Falls 27 (Jessica Youngren 27), Blocks: Flathead 8 (Miller 6), Great Falls 7 (Wright 3, Jauna Anderson 2), Digs: Flathead 64 (Laurie Swindall 24), Great Falls 26 (Jessie Sutphin 7, Anderson 6); Aces: Flathead 10 (Swindall 5), Great Falls 11 (Youngren 3, Erika Jenkins 2, Carly O'Rourke 2).