Libby spikers repeat for a 3rd time

by The Daily Inter Lake
| November 8, 2009 2:00 AM

LIBBY - Libby captured its third straight Northwestern A Divisional volleyball tournament title on Saturday by outlasting Polson in two championships matches.

Libby came into the champion round undefeated in tournament play, forcing Polson to win twice to claim the title. The Pirates won the first match 18-25, 25-19, 16-25, 25-20, 16-14, but Libby prevailed in the second title battle 26-24, 10-25, 25-22, 26-24.

"I had happy tears going afterwards," Libby coach Cindy Ostrem-Johnston said.

"I'm so proud of the girls."

Polson came into the tournament undefeated and seeded No. 1. Libby, which lost to the Pirates twice in league play, was seeded No. 2.

"I was pleased the girls bounced back (after losing the first championship match)," Ostrem-Johnston said.

"It was a tough loss. We had them in the fifth game, but let them take it from us."

Libby advances to the Class A state tournament in Bozeman, which begins Thursday, as the league's No. 1 seed. Polson will go in the No. 2 slot.

Columbia Falls, which came into the divisional seeded fourth, finished the season on a high note by placing third. The Wildkats knocked off rival Whitefish 21-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-12, 15-8 in a loser-out victory. It was the first win for Columbia Falls over the Bulldogs this season.

That victory advanced Columbia Falls to the consolation final, where it fell to Polson 25-20, 25-20, 25-11.

Polson then moved on to face Libby for the championship.

Second championship

Libby def. Polson, 26-24, 10-25, 25-22, 26-24.

Kills - Polson 55 (Breanne Kelley 16), Libby 55 (Jackie Mee 27). Blocks - Polson 7 (Sallie Sams 3), Libby 6 (Mee 3, Alex Kulbeck 3). Digs - Polson 90 (Nicole Davey 18), Libby 77 (Alysha Martin 21). Assists - Polson 51 (Kayla Duford 51), Libby 46 (Evi Cernick 40). Aces - Polson 10 (Breanne Kelley 4), Libby 8 (Cernick 2).

First championship

Polson def. Libby, 18-25, 25-19, 16-25, 25-20, 16-14.

Kills - Polson 53 (Nicole Davey 15), Libby 56 (Jackie Mee 28). Blocks - Polson 7 (Nicole Davey 4), Libby 5 (Jackie Mee 3). Digs - Polson 108 (Staci Benson 32), Libby 74 (Alysha Martin 24). Assists - Polson 43 (Kayla Duford 42), Libby 48 (Evi Cernick 46). Aces - Polson 7 (Duford 3), Libby 8 (Katie Emery 3).

Consolation Final

Polson def. Columbia Falls 25-20, 25-20, 25-11

Kills - Polson 35 (Nicole Davey 8, Loni Havlovick 8, Sallie Sams 8), Columbia Falls 25 (Brooke Cady 8); Blocks - Polson 4 (Sams 3), Columbia Falls 6 (Kayla DeWit 2); Assists - Polson 31 (Kayla Duford 29), Columbia Falls 22 (Shay Grilley 19); Digs - Polson 62 (Staci Benson 25), Columbia Falls 43 (Cassidee Skiles 17); Aces - Polson 10 (Davey 5), Columbia Falls 6 (DeWit 2, Cady 2).

Loser-out Play

Columbia Falls def. Whitefish 21-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-12, 15-8

Kills - Columbia Falls 46 (Brooke Cady 21, Kayla DeWit 11), Whitefish NA; Blocks - Columbia Falls 6 (DeWit 2), Whitefish NA; Assists - Columbia Falls 42 (Shay Gilley 42), Whitefish NA; Digs - Columbia Falls 74 (Cassidee Skiles 29), Whitefish NA; Aces - Columbia Falls 15 (Skiles 5, Grilley 4).