Volleyball: Flathead downs Big Sky; Libby dumps Polson
MISSOULA — The Flathead Bravettes (12-10 overall, 6-6 Western AA) claimed third place in the Western AA volleyball standings after defeating Missoula Big Sky in four sets on Saturday.
Led by Tiana Johnson’s match-high 13 kills, the Bravettes won the first two sets 25-19, 25-17 before surrendering the third in a dramatic 26-24 finish by Big Sky.
Flathead held off the surging Eagles 25-21 in the fourth set.
“After the second game Big Sky got fired up and we were a little bit surprised by them,” Bravettes coach Leon Wilox said.
“They got one by us and the fourth set was close because they got some momentum, but the girls did a good job.”
Flathead played sound volleyball to take hold of third place in the conference. The Bravettes tallied 52 kills along with 63 digs to keep the Eagles at bay.
Senior Jordan Schultz recorded five of the Bravettes’ 15 aces in the match.
“The last few matches we’ve piled up quite a bunch of aces,” Wilcox said. “It definitely helps. It gives us an edge.”
Xio Lopp led Flathead with 23 assist and Abbie O’Brien added 13 digs defensively.
Flathead def. Big Sky,
25-19, 25-17, 24-26, 25-21
Kills — Flathead 52 (Tiana Johnson 13), Big Sky 29 (Anna Gragg 12). Assists — Flathead 45 (Xio Lopp 23), Big Sky 26 (Carlee Hart 21). Digs — Flathead 63 (Abbie 0’Brien 13), Big Sky 61 (Macey Newberry 17). Blocks — Flathead 6 (Tiana Johnson 3), Big Sky 7 (Anna Gragg 3 ). Aces — Flathead 15 (Jordan Schultz 5), Big Sky 7 (Domnique Calbro 2).
Libby 3, Polson 0
LIBBY — Libby rolled on senior night, defeating Polson in three sets 25-11, 25-17, 25-18 in the final Northwestern A volleyball match of the regular season for both teams. Libby, in its last season in the conference, will host the divisional tournament later this week.
The Loggers came out fast, storming the Polson side to a quick first set win before battling in the last two.
“It was our senior night, I didn’t quite know how we were going to handle it emotionally,” Libby coach Cindy Ostrem-Johnston said. “They came out and played well. Polson didn’t make it easier, either. We had to battle in several long rallies.”
Hailley Moe had 10 kills for the Loggers and Hannah England had 34 assists and three aces. Mahalah Wedel had 18 digs and three aces and Devon Gallagher and Cierra Stewart each had nine kills and two blocks.
Polson was led by Jaiden Toth’s 18 assists and two aces. Libby Clay had 15 digs and Chadelle Smith 10 kills.
Libby def. Polson,
25-11, 25-17, 25-18
Kills — Polson 21 (Chadelle Smith 10), Libby 38 (Hailley Moe 10, Devon Gallagher 9, Cierra Stewart 9). Assists — Polson 18 (Jaiden Toth 18), Libby 34 (Hannah England 34). Digs — Polson 60 (Libby Clay 15), Libby 68 (Mahalah Wedel 18). Blocks — Polson 1 (Nichole Lake), Libby 3 (Stewart 2, Gallagher 2). Aces — Polson 5 (Toth 2, Sarah Rausch 2), Libby 10 (England 3, Wedel 3).