Volleyball: C-Falls, Whitefish advance in Western A

COLUMBIA FALLS — Whitefish and Columbia Falls will meet for a third time this season on the volleyball court, each winning second-round matches Friday afternoon at the Western A divisional tournament to set up a meeting in the undefeated semifinals today at noon at Columbia Falls High School.

Whitefish punched its ticket into the match with a 25-17, 25-22, 25-22 sweep of Southwestern A champion Corvallis. Cailyn Ross had a team-high nine kills and three blocks and Kate Doorn added nine kills and 10 digs.

The win sealed a state tournament bid for the Bulldogs, who are guaranteed at least a third-place finish. The top four teams from the divisional advance to next week’s state tournament in Bozeman.

“(It’s nice) to get that off of your shoulders,” Whitefish coach Jackie Fuller said. “That builds a lot of tension. It’s nice to get the answer that we’re going, but now we’ve got to continue and finish it.

“Corvallis is a great ball club. To win in three was pretty exciting. As close as (the sets) are, to have our girls gut it out and stay in there is even better. Our girls played well today, I’m proud of them.”

Maureen Hessop led Corvallis with three blocks and 16 digs.

Columbia Falls continued its undefeated season by stopping Dillon 25-22, 25-15, 25-12.

Morgan Stenger, a senior, had a standout net game for Columbia Falls with 14 kills and three blocks.

Kaitlyn Casazza was next with 10 kills.

Casazza also led in digs with 13.

Western A Divisional

Friday at Columbia Falls High School

Second Round

Whitefish def. Corvallis 25-17, 25-22, 25-22

Kills—Corvallis 33 (Genesis Keith 10), Whitefish 34 (Cailyn Ross 9, Kate Doorn 9). Assists—Corvallis 29 (Kate Hurlburt 27), Whitefish 30 (Libby Nagler 28). Blocks—Corvallis 6 (Mareen Jessop 3), Whitefish 7 (Mirielle Kruger 3, Ross 3). Digs—Corvallis 64 (Jessop 16), Whitefish 48 (Serena Hemmingson 10, Doorn 10, Kylie Larson 10). Aces—Corvallis 5 (Emme Warnken 2), Whitefish 6 (Nagler 2).

Columbia Falls def. Dillon 25-12, 25-15, 25-12

Kills — Dillon 23 (Brynley Fitzgerald 10), Columbia Falls 42 (Morgan Stenger 14, Kaitlyn Casazza 10). Blocks — Dillon 0, Columbia Falls 6 (Stenger 3). Assists — Dillon 20 (Bailey Berriochoa 19), Columbia Falls 37 (Cydney Finberg 37). Digs — Dillon 23 (Kylie Chirstiansen 7), Columbia Falls 48 (Casazza 13, Anna Nicosia 11). Aces — Dillon 2, Columbia Falls 11 (Nicosia 4).

Loser-out

Butte Central def. Hamilton 25-23, 25-12, 25-16

Kills—Hamilton 21 (Brooke Huxtable 7, Tristy Searle 7), Butte Central 45 (Corbyn Holm 14). Assists—Hamilton 20 (Caitlin Dillon 18), Butte Central 35 (Emily St. John 29). Blocks—Hamilton 2 (Dillon 2), Butte Central 6 (no leader). Digs—Hamilton 64 (Searle 18), Butte Central 72 (Mollie Peoples 20). Aces—Hamilton 2 (Dillon 2), Butte Central 8 (Holm 3).

Polson def.

Stevensville 20-25, 25-19, 25-18, 27-25

Kills—Stevensville 39 (Mariah Hinlon 20), Polson 42 (Haley Fyant 18). Assists—Stevensville 30 (Quinn Larson 30), Polson 25 (Kaelyn Smith 24). Blocks—Stevensville 16 (Tilly Grooms 6), Polson 1 (Lauren Lefthand 1). Digs—Stevensville 57 (Cassi Kopsa 17), Polson 43 (Kyler Lundeen 24). Aces—Stevensville 7 (Kopsa 2, Abby Austin 2, Mikayla Hall 2), Polson 19 (Hannah Fryberger 6).

Corvallis def. Polson 25-20, 25-12, 20-25, 25-23

Kills — Corvallis 36 (Genesis Keith 12, Maureen Jessop 10), Polson 30 (Hayley Fyant 17). Blocks — Corvallis 5 (Keith 2, Jessop 2), Polson 5 (Fyant 2 1/2, Lauren Lefthand 2). Assists — Corvallis 31 (Kate Hurlburt 29), Polson 30 (Kaelyn Smith 26). Digs — Corvallis 69 (Jessop 14, Hurlburt 12), Polson 74 (Kyler Lundeen 33). Aces — Corvallis 15 (Jessop 5, Kurlburt 4), Polson 11 (Smith 5, Fyant 3).

Dillon def. Butte Central 25-21, 25-19, 26-24

Kills — Dillon 40 (Kylie Christiansen 15, Brynley Fitzgerald 10, Nicole Hritsco 9), Butte Central NA. Blocks — Dillon 6 (Bailey Berriochkoa 4), Butte Central NA. Assists — Dillon 34 (Berriochoa 31), Butte Central NA. Digs — Dillon 64 (Christiansen 21), Butte Central NA. Aces — Dillon 7 (Paige Rouse 3), Butte Central NA.

Today’s Schedule

Fourth Place

10 a.m. — Dillon vs. Corvallis

Semifinal

Noon — Whitefish vs. Columbia Falls

Third Place

2 p.m. — 10 a.m. winner vs. noon loser

Championship

4 p.m. — Noon winner vs. 2 p.m. winner

6 p.m. — Second championship game in double elimination tournament if needed.