Volleyball: Flathead overcomes rough opening set
MISSOULA — After a poor first set, Flathead cruised by Missoula Sentinel in its first Western AA conference volleyball match of the season, winning in four sets on Tuesday 13-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-17.
“It looked like they expected it to come easy (in the first set),” Flathead coach Leon Wilcox said. “It’s hard to explain. They looked disconnected. It wasn’t good team volleyball.”
The Bravettes (1-0 Western AA conference, 3-3 overall) turned their fortunes around after a talk between sets, dominating the rest of the match with the Spartans (0-3, 2-6). Timi Severson and Emma Andrews each finished with 15 kills and Ashli Petek picked up 16 of Flathead’s 82 digs.
“It was our first league match of season,” Wilcox said.
“We have some kids with very little varsity time. They need to understand what the expectation is to compete at that level. Every match is important. We got things straight between the first and second game. It was a great effort after that.”
The Bravettes host the Helena schools this weekend in the first home contests of the season. Capital will venture into the gym Friday and Helena High on Saturday.
Kills — Flathead 40 (Timi Severson 15, Emma Andrews 15), Sentinel 31 (Maddy Butler 8, Lexi Delridge 7). Blocks — Flathead 8 (Sarah Risenhoover 4), Sentinel 8 (Krista Hunton 4). Digs — Flathead 82 (Ashli Petek 16), Sentinel 56 (Lauren Cady 15, Morgan Becker 15). Assists — Flathead 39 (Jessica Simmons 36), Sentinel 30 (Tian Harrington 28). Aces — Flathead 9 (Simmons 5), Sentinel 4 (Abby Hanick 2).
Libby def. Troy 25-14, 25-20, 25-11
LIBBY — The Loggers steamed past Troy in a nonconference contest, overcoming a loss in the starting rotation to win in straight sets.
Libby lost starting outside hitter Hailey Craig to an injury in the first set but responded quickly, showing the depth of its lineup. Sophomore Ashley Walker recorded 10 aces in her first varsity match to lead the Loggers, while Devon Gallagher added seven kills and two blocks.
“It was a good team effort,” Libby coach Cindy Ostrem-Johnston said. “We had some adversity. Other kids did a good job of stepping up.”
Libby hosts Polson on Friday.
Aces — Libby 19 (Ashley Walker 10), Troy 8 (Allie Brown 4). Kills — Libby 31 (Jess Tempel 7, Devon Gallagher 7), Troy 11 (Katie Lundin 3, Kellie Lundin 3). Assists — Libby 27 (Hannah England 25), Troy 9 (Brenna Garrison 7). Blocks — Libby 3 (Gallagher 2), Troy 3 (Kellie Lundin 3). Digs — Libby 27 (Mahalah Wedel 12), Troy 10 (Brown 3).
Stillwater Christian def. Eureka, 25-12, 25-23, 25-21
Sarah Paolini hit 14 kills to help Stillwater Christian to a straight-sets victory.
Megha Tannehill added eight kills for Stillwater, which finished with 28 as a team. Paolini and Tannehill each served three aces and Paolini had a match-high 12 digs.
Elliott Peterson had eight of Eureka’s 24 kills.
“Another exciting win for the Stillwater girls,” Stillwater coach Diane Smith said. “They knew it would be important to come out strong with Eureka and stick to it. I would have to say they accomplished this tonight.”
Stillwater hosts Columbia Falls on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Kills - Eureka 24 (Elliott Peterson 8), Stillwater 28 (Sarah Paolini 14, Megha Tannehill 8). Assists - Eureka 15 (Charity Parsons 9), Stillwater 27 (Dorothy Smith 25). Aces - Eureka 7 (Evynn Anderson 2), Stillwater 8 (Paolini 3, Tannehill 3). Blocks - Eureka 2 (Emily Billows, Tenise Kakuk), Stillwater 0. Digs - Eureka 24 (Anderson 11), Stillwater 41 (Paolini 12, Sophie George 9).