Flathead downs Big Sky in volleyball

The Flathead volleyball team (16-10 overall, 9-3 Western AA) finished its home schedule with an exclamation point, beating Missoula Big Sky (3-18, 1-11) in three sets 25-21, 25-13, 25-20 on Saturday.

The Bravettes, who already clinched the West’s No. 2 seed, will host the seventh-place Eagles again in a state play-in match Thursday at 6 p.m.

Flathead was dominant despite the loss of its starting setter, Jessica Simmons, in the first set. Junior varsity setter Xio Lopp stepped in with 32 assists in relief to lead the Bravettes to victory.

“She did a really good job for her first varsity match,” Flathead coach Leon Wilcox said.

“It’s good to know that my bench can come through and we can still play well with those kids”

The Bravettes controlled the game at every level, with Timi Severson leading the team with a match-high 18 kills.

Sara Risenhoover had five blocks, Lizzie Sherwood four of 11 aces and Iris Matulevich 14 digs to lead the Bravettes.

“I think we’re playing pretty sharp,” Wilcox said.

“We finished pretty strong and were feeling pretty good about our chances.”

Kills — Big Sky 23 (Anna Gregg 8), Flathead 44 (Timi Severson 18); Assists — Big Sky 15 (Maddi Winz 14), Flathead 39 (Xio Lopp 32); Blocks — Big Sky 6 (Hana Felzer 4), Flathead 7 (Sara Risenhoover 5); Aces — Big Sky 1 (Karly Hart), Flathead 11 (Lizzy Sherwood 4); Digs — Big Sky 36 (Sierra Lennox 8), Flathead 47 (Iris Matulevich 14).