Strong start for C-Falls, Whitefish at Western A divisional volleyball
<p>Columbia Falls senior Morgan Stenger hammers the ball past a pair of Stevensville defenders during the Wildkats' 3-game victory at the Western A Divisional Tournament in Columbia Falls on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Columbia Falls senior Keavyn Baker blasts the ball past a pair of Stevensville defenders during the Wildkats' 3-game victory at the Western A Divisional Tournament in Columbia Falls on Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
COLUMBIA FALLS — Columbia Falls shook off a sluggish start to dispense with Stevensville in three sets on Thursday during opening-round play of the Western A divisional volleyball tournament at Columbia Falls High School.
The 26-24, 25-17, 25-18 victory advances the defending state champions (15-0 overall) to second-round action today at 4 p.m. against Dillon.
Dillon took care of Polson in first-round action, beating the Pirates in five sets. Polson kept its season alive later in the day with a four-set win over Frenchtown in loser-out play.
“We knew Stevensville would come out swinging, be strong,” Columbia Falls coach Jessy Matthews said. “We made a few mistakes there in the first set. Once we got the first game jitters out, we had a strong hitting night and a strong defensive night, too.”
Whitefish (11-4) kicked its divisonal off with an impressive 25-23, 26-24, 25-14 victory over Butte Central.
Kate Doorn and Cailyn Ross had 10 kills each. Ross and Mirielle Kruger had two blocks each.
Doorn also led in aces with five.
“Butte Central is a good ballclub, has a lot of experience and has a winning tradition,” Whitefish coach Jackie Fuller said.
“We were down eight points (in the second set) and to fight back and get the win I was happy with the girls. They didn’t give up. That was a good showing for my kids.”
Whitefish is back on the court today at 2 p.m. to test Corvallis. The Blue Devils beat Hamilton in the first round.
First Round
Hamilton def. Frenchtown 26-24, 25-15, 25-20
Kills — Hamilton 27 (Hayley Hudgins 7), Frenchtown 26 (Emilie Hinrichs 7, Carly Thompson 7). Blocks — Hamilton 3 (Caitlin Dillon 2), Frenchtown 3 (Alivia Williams, Emilie Hinrichs, Carly Thompson). Assists — Hamilton 24 (Caitlin Dillon 22), Frenchtown 24 (Kylie Willett 17). Digs — Hamilton 72 (Hennesy Meyer 25), Frenchtown 43 (Maddy Boller 13). Aces — Hamilton n/a, Frenchtown 6 (Hinrichs 3).
Whitefish def. Butte Central 25-23, 26-24, 25-14
Kills — Whitefish 33 (Kate Doorn 10, Cailyn Ross 10), Butte Central 25 (Taylor Wahl 10); Blocks — Whitefish 5 (Mirielle Kruger 2, Ross 2), Butte Central 9 (Corbyn Holm 3); Assists — Whitefish 30 (Libby Nagler 24), Butte Central 20 (Emily St. John 20); Digs — Whitefish 65 (Kylie Larsen 15), Butte Central 64 (Samantha Burton 15); Aces — Whitefish 10 (Doorn 5), Butte Central 5 (Kassidy Criscuolo 2).
Dillon def.
Polson 25-12, 18-25, 25-22, 28-30, 15-8
Kills — Dillon 41 (Kylie Christiansen 13), Polson 60 (Haley Fyant 33). Blocks — Dillon 3 (Nicole Hritsco 2), Polson 2 (no leader). Digs — Dillon 61 (Brynley Fitzgerald 17), Polson 56 (Kyler Lundeen 25). Assists — Dillon 34 (Bailey Berriochoa 30), Polson 49 (Kaelyn Smith 49). Aces — Dillon 12 (Kyndall Petersen 5), Polson 10 (Hannah Fryberger 5).
Columbia Falls def.
Stevensville 26-24, 25-17, 25-18
Kills — Columbia Falls 36 (Kaitlyn Casazza 12, Kiara Burlage 9), Stevensville 22 (Mariah Hinson 10); Blocks — Columbia Falls 10 (Morgan Stenger 5), Stevensville 7 (Mikayla Newman 2, Angel Richards 2); Assists — Columbia Falls 29 (Cydney Finberg 26), Stevensville 19 (Quinn Larson 19); Digs — Columbia Falls 51 (Kaevyn Baker 12, Casazza 11), Stevensville 45 (Cassi Kopsa 15); Aces — Columbia Falls 4 (KJ Schweikert 2), Stevensville 6 (Quinn Larson 2, Mariah Hinson 2).
Corvallis def.
Hamilton 25-19, 25-15, 25-22
Kills — Hamilton 14 (Brooke Huxtable 5), Corvallis NA; Blocks — Hamilton 3 (Kacie Guisinger 2), Corvallis NA; Assists — Hamilton 12 (Caitlin Dillon 12), Corvallis NA; Digs — Hamilton 47 (Hennesy Meyer 14), Corvallis NA; Aces — Hamilton 6 (Guisinger 3), Corvallis NA.
Loser-out
Polson def.
Frenchtown 25-15, 23-25, 29-27, 25-20
Kills — Polson 45 (Haley Fyant 24), Frenchtown 23 (Alison Hochhalter 7, Emilie Hinrichs 7). Blocks — Polson 1 (Kaelyn Smith), Frenchtown 8 (Emilie Hinrichs 4). Digs — Polson 39 (Kyler Lundeen 21), Frenchtown 29 (Maddy Boller 14). Assists — Polson 45 (Kaelyn Smith 36), Frenchtown 19 (Kylie Willett 12). Aces — Polson 18 (Hannah Fryberger 8), Frenchtown 9 (Alivia Williams 4).