Crosstown time for volleyball

The crosstown volleyball series for Flathead and Glacier has been a back-and-forth affair.

Glacier swept the two regular-season meetings last year, winning 3-0 and 3-2.

Flathead won both matchups the two previous years.

So, heading into tonight’s first crosstown class of 2014, the overall series rests 8-6 in favor of Flathead. Varsity action starts at 7 p.m. at Glacier.

This is also homecoming week for the Wolfpack.

“Crosstown is always fun, a great atmosphere and a packed gym,” Flathead coach Leon Wilcox said.

“It’s not too often you see 1,500 to 2,000 people for a volleyball match. It’s a community thing. They get behind it and support both sides.”

Glacier enters 3-0 in Western AA play, 9-1 overall. The Wolfpack is ranked No. 2 in the coaches power poll.

Flathead is 2-1 in league, 5-4 overall. The Bravettes are ranked No. 5.

“It’s always been close, it’s always been a battle,” Glacier coach Christy Harkins said of the crosstown.

“Always a great game. To win in three, for either team, has been rare.”

Both teams were involved in league road matches last weekend. Glacier beat Helena High and No. 3 Helena Capital. Flathead dropped Helena High, but lost to Capital.

“It was a good weekend in a lot of ways,” Wilcox said.

“The girls worked really hard. They developed some resiliency.”

Glacier returns a wealth of experience up front. Directing the offense is Hannah Liss, a four-year starter.

Glacier also has great size.

“It’s been a good start to the season,” Harkins said.

“They have been very consistent. We’re ahead defensively from where I thought we would be.”

Wilcox said the Bravettes will have to stand out defensively to keep pace with Glacier.

“Glacier brings a ton of experience,” he said.

“Those kids are pretty salty and they are big. They have a formidable front row. They have more size than we do. That’s a factor, but you can’t discount tenacity and perseverance of Flathead kids to make up for the disparity and size at the net. We’ll have to play some very good defense.”

Flathead heads into this matchup “a little beat up, wore down,” Wilcox said.

“The timing (for crosstown) isn’t the best for us, but we’ll bring what we’ve got.”

Wilcox could be without two starters for tonight’s outing.

“We have a good, hard- working group of JV kids,” he said.

“They will fill in. They practice with us every day, so they know the routine.”

The second crosstown match is scheduled for Oct. 16 at Flathead.

Class AA Power Poll

Here are the results of the weekly AA Montana Volleyball Power Poll as voted upon by the coaches. The ratings are based on 5 points for each first-place vote, 4 points for second-place vote, etc. First-places votes are in parentheses, followed by total points.

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Pts

1. Billings Senior (13) 65

2. Glacier

3. Helena Capital

4. Bozeman

5. Billings West

5. Flathead

Also receiving votes (in order): Billings Skyview and Missoula Sentinel