Class A volleyball: Columbia Falls sweeps Whitefish on final day of Western Divisional

by The Daily Inter Lake
| November 7, 2015 7:31 PM

HAMILTON — Columbia Falls avenged a regular season-ending loss to Whitefish, sweeping the Bulldogs 25-19, 25-19, 26-24 to claim third place at the Class A Western Divisional Saturday afternoon.

The Wildkats (16-3) followed up the win with a narrow loss to Butte Central to end their day. Both Columbia Falls and Whitefish (12-6) had already secured spots in the Class A tournament before play began on Saturday.

Morgan Stenger keyed the win over the Bulldogs with a 20-kill effort, just eight fewer than the entire Whitefish team, and also had a pair of blocks. The Bulldogs were led by Allie Schulz’s eight kills and eight assists.

Whitefish finished fourth at the divisional tournament.

Columbia Falls fell in four sets to Butte Central later Saturday afternoon. Game scores were not available at press time. Kaitlyn Casazza paced the Wildkats with 20 kills in a losing effort, while Cydney Finberg dished out 42 assists.

Corvallis won the divisional with a pair of victories against Butte Central, taking down the Maroons in five sets in the championship match.

Whitefish will begin the state tournament Thursday in Bozeman versus Belgrade at 10 a.m. Columbia Falls’ tournament begins at 2 p.m. the same day against Billings Central.

The eight-team, double-elimination tournament will be played at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse through Saturday.

Western A Divisional

Columbia Falls def. Whitefish 25-19, 25-19, 26-24

Kills — Columbia Falls 45 (Morgan Stenger 20), Whitefish 28 (Allie Schulz 8). Assists — Columbia Falls 38 (Cydney Finberg 37), Whitefish 28 (Schulz 8). Digs — Columbia Falls 16 (Kaitlyn Casazza 6), Whitefish 61 (Ellie Dewan, Serena Hemmingson 13). Blocks — Columbia Falls 3 (Stenger 2), Whitefish 3 (no leader). Aces — Columbia Falls 5 (Kiara Burlage 4), Whitefish 4 (Hemmingson 3).

Records — Columbia Falls (16-2), Whitefish (12-6).

Corvallis def. Butte Central 16-25, 19-25, 25-23, 26-24, 15-10

Kills — Butte Central 51 (Corbyn Holm 12), Corvallis 64 (Hannah Capko, Taia Tully 22). Assists — Butte Central 44 (Emily St. John 42), Corvallis 59 (Holly Wilson 55). Digs — Butte Central 103 (Molly Peoples 23), Corvallis 126 (Tully 28). Blocks — Butte Central 10 (Lacey McGree 5 1/2), Corvallis 6 (Olivia Smart 1 1/2). Aces — Butte Central 8 (Taylor Wahl 3), Corvallis 13 (Wilson, Capko 4).

Records — Butte Central (15-2), Corvallis (13-3).

Butte Central def. Columbia Falls

Set scores not available

Kills — Butte Central 45 (Teresa Piazzola 10), Columbia Falls 53 (Kaitlyn Casazza 20). Assists — Butte Central 37 (Emily St. John 34), Columbia Falls 45 (Cydney Finberg 42). Digs — Butte Central 78 (Molly Peoples 22), Columbia Falls 98 (Morgan Stenger, Finberg 17). Blocks — Butte Central 13 (Lacey McGree 8), Columbia Falls 4 (no leader). Aces — Butte Central 10 (McKenzie Gallagher 3), Columbia Falls 6 (K.J. Schweikert 3).

Records — Butte Central (16-2), Columbia Falls (16-3)

Corvallis def. Butte Central 15-25, 25-15, 25-19, 22-25, 15-13

Kills — Corvallis 65 (Taia Tully 22), Butte Central 43 (Teresa Piazzola 12). Assists — Corvallis 59 (Holly Wilson 55), Butte Central 42 (Emily St. John 42). Digs — Corvallis 116 (Ashley Davis 29), Butte Central 88 (Piazzola 25). Blocks — Corvallis 7 (Maureen Jessop 3), Butte Central 9 (Ryan Trudnowski 4). Aces — Corvallis 13 (Tully 4), Butte Central 7 (St. John 3).

Records — Corvallis (14-3), Butte Central (16-3).