Volleyball roundup: Bravettes win in five sets, Wolfpack fall to Helena

Flathead battled back to drop visiting Helena Capital 25-13, 25-18, 28-30, 15-25, 15-7 in a wild Western AA volleyball match on Friday afternoon.

The Bravettes (3-1 overall, 1-1 league) lost a pivotal third set, which would have ended the match, then were outplayed in the fourth, but regrouped to end on a winning note.

“We came out really strong, then let them back in it and came back strong at the end,” Flathead coach Courtney Baker said.

“It was encouraging to see the girls fight, especially after losing two in a row.”

Baker said middle hitter Alyssa Wisher, who led the Bravettes with 12 kills, turned in a strong effort.

“They hard a hard time stopping her in the front row,” Baker said.

Xio Lopp, who had 35 assists, kept the offense running.

“She did an excellent job of moving the ball around to all of our hitters,” Baker said.

Marisa Postovit and Tiana Johnson had 10 kills each for Flathead.

Flathead hosts Helena High in Western AA play today at 1 p.m.

Kills — Capital 42 (Taylor Sullivan 12), Flathead 50 (Alyssa Wisher 12, Marisa Postovit 10, Tiana Johnson 10); Blocks — Capital 12 (Sullivan 6), Flathead 15 (Johnson 9); Assists — Capital 36 (Katie Culvar 28), Flathead 41 (Xio Lopp 35); Digs — Capital 80 (Madi Quick 26), Flathead 89 (Jourdon Schultz 26); Aces — Capital 10 (Quick 4), Flathead 8 (Lizzie Sherwood 4).

Helena 3, Glacier 1

Helena High picked up its intensity after a first set loss to Glacier, sweeping the next three games to earn a 17-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-23 Western AA conference victory.

The Wolfpack struggled to get past a tough Helena block in the final three sets, with the Bengals’ Taylor Krantz picking up a game-high four blocks and 16 kills.

“Helena High picked up their game and became aggressive,” Wolfpack coach Christy Harkins said.

“We backed off a bit and struggled finding some offensive rhythm the rest of the night.”

Nikki Krueger led the Wolfpack with 15 kills and Hailee Bennett had 26 digs.

Glacier will host Capital today at 1 p.m.

Kills — Helena 41 (Taylor Krantz 16), Glacier 44 (Nikki Krueger 15). Blocks — Helena 9.5 (Krantz 4), Glacier 6 (Megan Gillespie 4). Assists — Helena 34 (Madison Richtmyer 28), Glacier 34 (Abby Schrade 32). Digs — Helena 68 (Kendra Woodland 26), Glacier 83 (Hailee Bennett 26). Aces — Helena 8 (Sam Holman 3), Glacier 6 (no leader).

Anaconda 3, Libby 1

LIBBY — Anaconda took the first two sets and the fourth to claim a Class B nonconference victory over Libby.

India Croucher and Haylee Cannon both had eight kills for Libby (2-4).

“Hats off to Anaconda,” Libby coach Cindy Ostrem-Johnston said.

“They played smart.”

Ostrem-Johnston said outside hitters Cannon and Croucher “were both were pretty efficient hitting and serving.”

Anaconda def. Libby 25-18, 25-20, 23-25, 25-17

Kills — Anaconda 34 (Molly Huber 9, Kassandra Flores 8), Libby 29 (India Croucher 8, Haylee Cannon 8); Blocks — Anaconda 4 (Bailee Oxnam 2, Flores 2), Libby 7 (Emily Mossburg 3); Assists — Anaconda 26 (Oxnam 14, Libby 26 (Ashley Walker 13); Digs — Anaconda 64 (Libby Jorgensen 22, Huber 17), Libby 57 (Bailie Rosling 21); Aces — Anaconda 14 (Shea Forsberg 4), Libby 13 (Alli Collins 3, Cannon 3, Walker 3).

Thursday

Columbia Falls 3,

Polson 0

COLUMBIA FALLS — Kiara Burlage had 10 digs and five aces, both team highs, to help Columbia Falls spill Polson 25-18, 25-13, 25-13 in Northwestern A volleyball action.

Morgan Stenger had a strong game at the net with 14 kills. Columbia Falls totaled 31 as a team.

Columbia Falls def. Polson 25-18, 25-13, 25-13

Kills — Polson 16 (Haley Fyant 6, Lauren Lefthand 5, Nicole Lake 3), Columbia Falls 31(Morgan Stenger 14); Blocks — Polson 4 (Nicole Lake 2 1/2), Columbia Falls 5 (Cydney Fingerg 2, KJ Schweikert 2); Digs — Polson 23 (Sampson 6, Dupuis 5), Columbia Falls 35 (Kiara Burlage 10); Assists — Polson 16 (Erin Sampson 13), Columbia Falls 28 (Finberg 25); Aces — Polson 1 (Lydia Dupuis), Columbia Falls 15 (Burlage 5, Schweikert 4).