Volleyball roundup: Lady Knights nip Glacier in five sets
MISSOULA — Nikki Krueger had 14 kills and Glacier won the first set, but Hellgate rallied back to top the Wolfpack 16-25, 25-23, 26-24, 19-25, 15-11 on Saturday.
“It was a really hard-fought battle,” Glacier head coach Christy Harkins said. “A couple of points either way could have switched it at any time.”
Krueger added a match-high five blocks for Glacier and senior Hailee Bennett led all players with 34 digs in a losing effort.
“Hailee did an excellent job today,” Harkins said. “She led the team in digs, which you would expect from a libero, but she passed really well and was solid on serve receive as well.”
The Wolfpack will spend three straight days in Great Falls beginning Thursday night against Billings Senior at 7 p.m.
Kills — Glacier 49 (Nikki Krueger 14), Hellgate 49 (Hannah Lasche 16, Mari Lundin 13). Blocks — Glacier 10 (Krueger 5), Hellgate 10 (Kaci Paffhausen 3). Digs — Glacier 90 (Hailee Bennett 34), Hellgate 64 (Becca Jones 26). Assists — Glacier 33 (Abby Schrade 33), Hellgate 38 (Emily Jones 38). Aces — Glacier 8 (Ali Williams 3), Hellgate 4 (no leader).
Columbia Falls 3,
Corvallis 1
Columbia Falls 3,
Hamilton 1
COLUMBIA FALLS — Columbia Falls swept a pair of matches at home Saturday night, dropping Corvallis 25-14, 14-25, 25-19, 25-16 and downing Hamilton 25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-18.
“We came out really strong,” Columbia Falls head coach Jessy Matthews said. “We stayed aggressive and our service was really aggressive. We used it as a weapon.”
The Wildcats were led by Morgan Stenger, who led the team with nine kills against the Blue Devils. Stenger made only three errors on the day and added six blocks defensively.
Kaitlyn Casazza led the way against the Broncs with 13 kills.
Columbia Falls def. Corvallis
25-14, 14-25, 25-19, 25-22
Kills – Columbia Falls 31 (Morgan Stenger 9); Blocks – Columbia Falls 9 (K.J. Schweikert 3, Morgan Stenger 3); Assists – Columbia Falls 26 (Cydney Sinberg 24); Digs – Columbia Falls 98 (Anna Nicosia 32); Aces – Columbia Falls 10 (Kiara Burlage 4).
Columbia Falls def. Hamilton
25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-16
Kills – Columbia Falls 41 (Kaitlyn Casazza 13); Blocks – Columbia Falls 8 (Morgan Stenger, Kaitlyn Casazza 3); Assists – Columbia Falls 37 (Cydney Sinberg 36); Digs – Columbia Falls 57 (Anna Nicosia 22); Aces – Columbia Falls 1.
Corvallis 3, Whitefish 0
Hamilton 3, Whitefish 1
COLUMBIA FALLS – Whitefish struggled Saturday, falling to Corvallis 25-12, 25-23, 25-17 and losing 24-26, 25-19, 25-21, 25-18 to Hamilton.
“It was a lot of volleyball today but I don’t think our kids played up to par,” Whitefish coach Jackie Fuller said.
Cailyn Ross led the way with 11 kills against the Blue Devils and added three blocks. Allie Schulz stuffed the stat sheet in the day’s second match, recording 13 kills, 17 assists and four aces – all team highs – against the Broncs.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Fuller said. “We’ll get in the gym on Monday and begin working harder to get better and better every day.”
Corvallis def. Whitefish 25-12, 25-23, 25-17
Kills – Corvallis 41 (Hannah Capko 16), Whitefish 35 (Cailyn Ross 11), Blocks – Corvallis 3 (Genesif Keith 2), Whitefish 8 (Cailyn Ross 3); Assists - 37 (Holly Wilson 26), Whitefish 35 (Allie Schulz 24); Digs – Corvallis 59 (Ashley Davis 17), Whitefish 70 (Ellie Dewan 16); Aces – Corvallis 7 (Taia Tully 4), Whitefish 0.
Hamilton def. Whitefish 24-26, 25-19, 25-21, 25-18
Kills 30 (Allie Schulz 13); Assists 30 (Allie Schulz 17); Blocks 5 (Cailyn Ross 3); Digs 63 (Ellie Dewan 18); Aces – Whitefish 11 (Allie Schulz 4).