Volleyball roundup: Flathead storms Knights

It was a much different finish from the way they started.

Flathead needed to score 10 of the final 11 points to claim the third and final set against Missoula Hellgate (0-3, 0-7) on Tuesday, sweeping the Knights 25-10, 25-16, 26-24, with a tremendous close to the match.

“Our three captains (seniors Kwyn Johnson, Cassie Krueger and Emily Russell) really turned it on at the end of third game,” Flathead coach Leon Wilcox said. “They refused to lose. It was good to see they had that much determination not to settle and give up that game.”

The Bravettes (4-0 in Western AA, 8-2 overall) lost focus after a dominating first set and found themselves trailing 23-16 in the third. Flathead tied the set with seven straight points, before falling behind again. Three straight points, the final two as aces by Krueger, finished the match.

“It’s good to get a win of course,” Wilcox said. “We also need to use every match as an opportunity to play how we want to play. We didn’t play consistently.”

Krueger was dominant offensively, accounting for 23 kills, as many as the entire Hellgate team. Her production has gone up in droves as Johnson continues to rest a sore shoulder.

“(Krueger is) definitely our go-to hitter,” Wilcox said. “She was more than just a little determined to put that game away. It showed even in her serving.”

Emma Andrews had an excellent all-around game for the Bravettes, leading the team with 10 digs, three blocks and five aces. She also added 10 kills, the second-highest mark on the team. Emily Russell had four aces and 41 assists.

Flathead’s next match will be at Glacier on Saturday.

Kills — Hellgate 23 (Jaiden Nisbet 6), Flathead 44 (Cassie Krueger 23); Aces — Hellgate 2 (Melody McDaniel 2), Flathead 14 (Emma Andrews 5, Emily Russell 4); Assists — Hellgate 14 (Paula Woreline 7, Morgan Lutz 7), Flathead 44 (Russell 41); Digs — Hellgate 36 (Megan Lutz 12), Flathead 41 (Andrews 10); Blocks — Hellgate 4 (Rachel Martens 3), Flathead 5 (Andrews 3).

Troy 3, Libby 1

TROY — In a close, back and forth match, Troy got the best of Libby, winning in four sets, 26-24, 25-14, 22-25, 25-11.

The Trojans, led by Michaela Curry’s 12 kills and five aces, eked out a close first set and won decisively in the second and fourth to take the match.

Libby’s Lauren Wepprecht had a match-high 16 kills and Mahalah Wedel had 18 digs.

Kills — Libby 26 (Lauren Wepprecht 16), Troy 34 (Michaela Curry 12). Blocks — Libby 2 (Hailley Moe 2), Troy 1 (Kellie Lundin). Digs — Libby 62 (Mahalah Wedel 18), Troy 45 (Jordan Williams 11). Assists — Libby 23 (Hannah England 21), Troy 32 (Holli Higgins 27). Aces — Libby 10 (Dayln Germany 4), Troy 16 (Curry 5).

Stillwater Christian 3, Columbia Falls 0

COLUMBIA FALLS — Stillwater Christian swept Columbia Falls in three sets, 25-17, 25-18, 25-20.

The Cougars got 11 kills and 10 digs from both Jordan Danz and Sarah Paolini in the victory. Morgan Paolini led the team with three aces and 24 assists.

Tiffany Hummer led the Wildkats with 19 digs and two aces.

“We just struggled on the front line tonight with hitting errors,” Columbia Falls coach Addy Connelly said. “We just weren’t able to get transitions in when we need to.

“Every game these girls get a little bit better. They’re going in the right direction for divisional.”

Kills — Stillwater (Jordan Danz 11, Sarah Paolini 11), Columbia Falls 25 (Haley Belgarde 9); Blocks — Columbia Falls 4 (Hope Burlage 2); Assists — Stillwater (Morgan Paolini 24), Columbia Falls 21 (Alli Dierenfield 12); Digs — Stillwater (Jordan Danz 10, Sarah Paolini 10), Columbia Falls 46 (Tiffany Hummer 19), Aces — Stillwater (Morgan Paolini 3), Columbia Falls 6 (Hummer 2).