Flathead spikers start 2-0

The Flathead volleyball team started the season off with a pair of wins over Great Falls C.M. Russell and Great Falls High on Saturday at FHS.

It took a while for the Bravettes to get going, but once they did they couldn’t be stopped.

“(We had) a little early season jitters,” Flathead coach Leon Wilcox said. “One of our starters got injured in practice and we had to put in a sub. They picked it right up and did a good job. Once we got rolling we were fine.”

The Bravettes cruised through the opener against CMR, dropping the first set 25-17, then taking the next three 25-18, 25-20, 25-21. Flathead was strong on defense, picking up 76 digs in the match, led by 19 from libero Nouf Raschoodi.

“They were getting after it,” Wilcox said. “We had a lot of long rallies. CMR was really bringing it offensively. We had a lot of opportunities for digs in that match.”

The second match was much quicker. Flathead dominated in three sets, winning 25-18, 25-18, 25-14.

Senior Cassie Krueger scored 13 kills in the match to add to the 15 she tallied against CMR.

“Against Great Falls we terminated the ball a lot quicker,” Wilcox said. “They did a good job. We didn’t have lot of hitting errors. They played hard.”

Flathead def. CMR, 17-25, 25-18, 25-20, 25-21

CMR — Blocks 4 (Hannah Patrick 2), Assists 20 (Kaylee Parsons 17), Kills 21 (McCall Emott, 8), Digs 40 (Jess Della Rosa, 13), Aces 5 (Karlee Simonson 2).

FLATHEAD — Blocks 5 (Sarah Risenhoover, 3), Assists 38 (Emily Russell 37), Kills 48 (Kwyn Johnson 17, Cassie Krueger 15), Digs 76 (Nouf Raschoodi 19), Aces 13 (Emily Russell 5).

Flathead def. Great Falls High, 25-18, 25-18, 25-14

GREAT FALLS HIGH — N/A

FLATHEAD — Blocks 8 (Sarah Risenhoover 4), Assists 29 (Emily Russell 28), Kills 32 (Cassie Krueger 13), Digs 22 (Iris Matulevich 7), Aces 13 (Matulevich 4).