Flathead stumbles in state opener

BOZEMAN —Everything going their way.

That’s how the 2009 Class AA state volleyball tournament started for the Flathead Bravettes (12-12) on Thursday.

The Bravettes busted out of the blocks and rushed to an 11-3 lead on Eastern AA No. 1 seed Billings West.

And then ... the Golden Bears showed how they got that No. 1 seed as they defeated Flathead 25-18, 25-17, 25-12.

West (26-3) beat Flathead in every statistical area except one. The Golden Bears had more aces, more kills, more assists and more blocks than the Bravettes. Flathead’s defense did have 60 digs to 55 for West.

“I thought (the Bravettes) came out exactly like we wanted them to,” said Flathead coach Leon Wilcox.

“They came out gangbusters. They were aggressive. The girls were excited, they were energetic. They played smart and they played hard and we came out with a huge lead,” he said.

“Then West, like any good experienced team would do, they adjusted. And we did not adjust to those adjustments,” he said.

“We kept doing the same things — and it seemed like their blocking really frustrated us. (The Golden Bears) are the best blocking team in the state. I think that got into our heads and we started being a little bit timid,” he said.

“They blocked us much better and then we were not blocking them like we should have,” he added.

“That’s what good teams do to you.”

Hannah Sackett led the Flathead offense with 10 kills. Mary Allen added five kills and Danika Johnson had three blocks. Freshmen Kwyn Johnson and Cassie Krueger had two blocks each.

But, the back row got nothing but raves from the coach.

“Our defense was what it should have been. Our back row really stepped up. Mary (Allen) and Jaimee (Zorn) were fantastic in the back row. Their passing was great.”

The Bravettes had 60 digs — Zorn had 18 and Allen 16.

“But at the net we just weren’t there,” he added.

The Bravettes must bounce back by noon today. That’s when they’ll take on Missoula Hellgate in loser-out action.