Libby digs up win over 'Dogs
<p>Whitefish's Maura Kalbfleisch knocks the ball past Libby's Hannah England in the first set in Whitefish on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
WHITEFISH — Behind a record-setting defense, Libby rallied in its Northwestern A conference match on Tuesday, beating Whitefish in four sets 23-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-19 in a match that saw very few balls hit the floor.
Libby had 124 digs as a team, led by a state-record 52 from senior libero Mahalah Wedel. The team total was the second most in a single match in state history. Wedel obliterated the old single-match record of 37, set twice by Huntley Project in 2008.
“Mahalah is an incredible defensive specialist, with 52 digs you can see that,” Whitefish coach Sarah Scott said. “She controls their defense.”
Combined with Whitefish’s 109 digs, the combined 233 digs is by far the most in a single match, with each team total placing in the top six all-time.
“Libby’s defense is always strong,” Scott said. “You just know that whoever plays the ball longest is going to win. I was very impressed with our girls defense.
“It was a fun match. Both teams were evenly matched. The defense on both sides was exciting to watch, just to see what was getting dug.”
After dropping a close first set, Libby was able to take advantage of the few mistakes Whitefish made on defense, sweeping the final three frames.
Hannah England had 16 of Libby’s 68 kills and led the Loggers with 45 assists. Wedel also had a team-high four aces.
Myndi Holbrook had 13 kills and two blocks to lead Whitefish. Allie Schulz had 11 assists, 19 digs and an ace, all team highs for the Bulldogs.
“I thought the girls played well,” Scott said. “We had some lapses and I think that’s what let Libby take the lead.”
Libby def. Whitefish
23-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-19
Kills — Libby 68 (Hannah England 16), Whitefish 29 (Myndi Holbrook 13). Assists — Libby 57 (England 45), Whitefish 23 (Allie Schulz 11). Digs — Libby 124 (Mahalah Wedel 52), Whitefish 109 (Schulz, Maura Kalbfleisch, Rachael Seymour 19). Blocks — Libby 2 (Devon Gallagher, Staci Regh 1), Whitefish 6 (Caylen Ross, Holbrook 2). Aces — Libby 12 (Wedel 4), Whitefish 3 (Seymour, Schulz, Libby Nagler 1).