Eureka spikers stick 1st loss on Stillwater
EUREKA - The Eureka Lions snapped Stillwater Christian's 24-game winning streak in five sets Saturday.
Eureka topped Stillwater Christian 23-25, 25-21, 18-25, 26-24 and 15-11.
The nonconference volleyball victory came after the Cougars swept the Lions earlier in the season.
Stillwater Christian had not lost a match since 2009. The Cougars went undefeated in 2010 and won the MCAA state championship.
The Lions were led by Selene Elster, who had 17 kills, and Cassidy Morgan, who scooped up 17 digs and served five aces.
"When those two are on, it's going to be a good game," Eureka coach Shauna Baker said.
Jordan Danz had 18 kills and 17 digs for Stillwater Christian.
Baker said her team has become more consistent since they last met the Cougars.
"Really, what is helping is we are minimizing unforced errors. That's the main thing," Baker said. "We're also building a quicker offense and a more strategic offense."
Eureka (8-4, 4-1) hosts Troy Thursday.
Stillwater's overall record is now 24-1.
Kills - Eureka 50 (Selene Elster 17), Stillwater 41 (Jordan Danz 18). Assists - Eureka 44 (Mikayla Grove 21, Alyssa White 21), Stillwater 38 (Morgan Paolini 37). Blocks - Eureka 4 (Jenna Peterson 2), Stillwater 12 (Kathrynn Jerard 3). Digs - Eureka 53 (Cassidy Morgan 17), Stillwater 68 (Danz 17). Aces - Eureka 23 (Morgan 5, Alyssa White 5, Alex Holland 5), Stillwater 16 (Samantha Auger 5).
Libby 3,
Columbia Falls 1
LIBBY - Selinna Maefau delivered 10 kills, three blocks and six aces and the Lady Loggers topped Columbia Falls 25-17, 25-16, 23-25 and 25-23.
"We battled out," Libby coach Cindy Ostrem-Johnston said.
"Those last two games were barn burners. Neither team was going out without a fight."
Laura Wepprecht had 10 kills, Alyssa Walker had 16 digs and Chelsea Bowe had 11 digs and five aces for Libby.
Columbia Falls was led by Hope Burlage, who had eight kills and 15 assists. Taylor Peterson had four aces.
The Loggers (3-6, 3-3) will play Thompson Falls on Tuesday.
Columbia Falls hosts Stillwater on Thursday.
Kills - Columbia Falls 31 (Hope Burlage 8, Haley Belgarde 7), Libby 37 (Lauren Wepprecht 10, Selinna Maefau 10). Blocks - Columbia Falls 5, Libby 3 (Maefau 3). Assists - Columbia Falls 26 (Burlage 15, Erika Nelson 10), Libby 34 (Hannah England 14, Lexie Hagness 13). Digs - Columbia Falls 78 (Shaun Roe 30), Libby 70 (Alyssa Walker 16, Chelsea Bowe 11). Aces - Columbia Falls 9 (Taylor Peterson 4, Nelson 2, Gabrielle Stenger 2) Libby 19 (Maefau 6, Bowe 5).
Bigfork 3,
Loyola Sacred Heart 2
LOYOLA - Mel VanDerveer served up four aces along with 21 kills, two blocks and 19 digs as Bigfork edged Loyola Sacred Heart 26-24, 25-15, 16-25, 23-25, 15-10.
Bigfork had 47 kills and 10 aces as a team.
Bigfork will play Stillwater Christian on Friday.
Kills - Bigfork 47 (Mel VanDerveer 21), Loyola 39 (Kiernan Haggarty 21). Blocks - Bigfork 4 (Tessa Roberts 2, Vanderveer 2), Loyola 5 (Haggarty 3). Digs - Bigfork 77 (VanDerveer 19), Loyola 38 (Callan Haggarty 15). Assists - Bigfork 37 (Taylor Peck 32), Loyola 23 (Emily McCue 14). Aces - Bigfork 10 (VanDerveer 4), Loyola 16 (Sam Manley 4, K. Haggarty 4).