Bravettes bump Hellgate in volleyball

MISSOULA - Alison Lunde had team highs in assists (17) and aces (four) as Flathead cruised to a 25-15, 25-9, 25-23 Western AA volleyball victory Thursday evening over Missoula Hellgate.

The Bravettes (3-0 overall, 1-0 league) dominated play at the net. They had 39 kills to Hellgate's 13. The Bravettes were paced by Cassie Krueger's nine.

Timi Seveverson had three of Flathead's five blocks.

Nouf Rashoodi had 13 digs for Flathead.

Flathead trailed 23-18 before storming back with Rashoodi at the service line in the final set.

Kylie Schlegel also had a game-saving dig.

"It was quite a run," Flathead coach Leon Wilcox said to end it.

"In the third game, they fell into the trap of expecting the other team to let up so they could have it easy. They didn't let us have it."

Wilcox said the Bravettes picked up their defensive intensity "and got it done.

"Really good night from Kwyn Johnson and Kylie Schlegel on the right side," Wilcox added. "They did a good job putting up big blocks. They hit really well."

Kills - Flathead 39 (Cassie Krueger 9), Hellgate 13 (Jenae White 4). Blocks - Flathead 5 (Timi Severson 3), Hellgate 6 (Taylor Allen 3). Digs - Flathead 43 (Nouf Rashoodi 13), Hellgate 26 (Betsy Pickhardt 8). Assists - Flathead 34 (Alison Lunde 17), Hellgate 13 (Morgan Lutz 12). Aces - Flathead 10 (Lunde 4), Hellgate 5 (Lutz 2).