Western B volleyball: Eureka, Florence perfect on first day

RONAN — Top seeds Eureka and Florence were undefeated during first-day action at the Western B divisional volleyball tournament on Thursday.

Eureka, the regular season District 7B champion,  beat Missoula Loyola in the first round 3-1 and Troy in the evening session 3-1.

Florence, the District 6B regular season champion, downed Bigfork 3-0 in the first round and Thompson Falls 3-0 in an evening match.

Florence and Eureka face off tonight at 6 with the winner moving on to Saturday’s championship match at noon.

District 7B teams held the upper hand during opening-round action as Eureka, Thompson Falls and Troy all post victories.

Florence spoiled the party by spilling Bigfork, 25-8, 25-3, 25-19.

The top two teams advance to state, Nov. 8-10 in Bozeman.

Thursday

Opening-round matches

Florence def. Bigfork, 25-8, 25-3, 25-19.

    Kills – Florence 26 (Makenzie Bauck 6, Courtney Byrne 6), Bigfork 9 (Tessa Robertson 3, Lana Berg 3). Blocks – Florence 6 (Byrne 2, Melody Maki 2), Bigfork 5 (Robertson 3). Digs – Florence 44 (Karli Cotton 15), Bigfork 30 (Kallister Meagher 11). Assists – Florence 23 (Bauck 12), Bigfork 8 (Brittany Schnell 3, Kayla Casalengo 3). Aces – Florence 15 (Casey Mann 5, Bauck 5), Bigfork 4 (Robertson 2).

Thompson Falls def.

Deer Lodge, 25-12, 25-13, 25-17.

    Kills – Thompson Falls 26 (Hope Reid 10), Deer Lodge 18 (Bailee Senecal 4, Michele Christnacht 4). Blocks – Thompson Falls 8 (Reid 3, Kelsey Fitchett 3), Deer Lodge 1 (Dani Walker). Digs – Thompson Falls 54 (Angie Padden 12), Deer Lodge n/a. Assists – Thompson Falls 21 (Allison Vaught 19), Deer Lodge 10 (Ivy Duncan 6). Aces – Thompson Falls 8 (Erica Sorlie 3), Deer Lodge 4 (Duncan 3).

Eureka def. Loyola

Sacred Heart, 25-23, 25-13, 25-27, 25-14.

    Kills – Eureka 55 (Cassidy Morgan 14), Loyola 25 (Kirsten Elliott 7). Blocks – Eureka 4 (Jenna Peterson 3), Loyola 8 (Sierra Tiede 3). Digs – Eureka 95 (Alex Holland 28), Loyola 54 (Kari Tirrell 14). Assists – Eureka 51 (Alyssa White 27), Loyola 24 (Emily McCue 18). Aces – Eureka 12 (White 3, Nicole Short 3), Loyola 3 (Tiede 2).

Troy def.

St. Ignatius, 27-25, 25-13, 24-26, 25-20.

    Kills – St. Ignatius 38 (Sara Nerby 19), Troy 47 (Michaela Curry 16). Blocks – St. Ignatius 7 (Loren Erickson 25), Troy 3 (Kellie Lundin 2). Digs – St. Ignatius 71 (Stephanie Lewandowski 16), Troy 58 (Holli Higgins 12). Assists – St. Ignatius 29 (Erickson 25), Troy 44 (Higgins 39). Aces – St. Ignatius 3 (Nerby, Lewandowski, Kaylie Durglo), Troy 13 (Curry 5).

Second round

    Florence def. Thompson Falls

 25-18, 25-18, 25-12.

    Kills – Florence 39 (Courtney Byrne 10), Thompson Falls 21 (Shasta Wilson 8). Blocks – Florence 7 (Casey Mann 3, Melodi Maki 3), Thompson Falls 8 (Hope Reid 4). Digs – Florence 68 (Karli Cotton 25), Thompson Falls 33 (Logan Beckman 21). Assists – Florence 33 (Makenzie Bauck 23), Thompson Falls 16 (Allison Vaught 11). Aces – Florence 13 (Mann 5), Thompson Falls 5 (Reid 2).

Eureka def. Troy

24-26, 25-12, 25-22, 25-12.

    Kills – Eureka 46 (Jenna Peterson 16), Troy 34 (Kellie Lundin 9). Blocks – Eureka 10 (Peterson 8), Troy 1 (Lundin). Digs – Eureka 35 (Alex Holland 13), Troy 66 (Jordan Williams 15). Assists – Eureka 36 (Alyssa White 19), Troy 27 (Holli Higgins 22). Aces – Eureka 10 (White 5), Troy 5 (Megan Hight 2).

Today’s Schedule

Loser Out

10 a.m. — Bigfork vs. Deer Lodge

Noon — Missoula Loyola vs. St. Ignatius

2 p.m. — 10 a.m. winner vs. Troy

4 p.m. — Noon winner vs. Thompson Falls

6 p.m. — 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. winners