VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP: Flathead bashes Big Sky; Glacier comes back vs. Hellgate
<p>Flathead outside hitter Allie Gagnon smashes the ball during the first game against Big Sky at Flathead on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
The Flathead volleyball team swept Missoula Big Sky in a Western AA volleyball match on Tuesday night, moving up in the conference standings.
The Bravettes (2-5 Western AA, 3-11 overall) fought through a tough first two sets, winning 25-21 and 25-23, before closing out the Eagles 25-16 to finish the night strong.
“They played well,” Flathead coach Courtney Baker said. “We had gone in with the goal to improve on our hitting percentage and serve receive (from the last match with Big Sky). They definitely did.”
Tiana Johnson had a match-high 10 kills and 10 digs to lead the Bravettes.
“Tiana Johnson stepped up,” Baker said. “She moved the ball around tonight. It was a big night for her.”
With the win, Flathead jumped Big Sky (1-6, 4-11) in the standings and moved into fifth place with a loss from Missoula Hellgate to Glacier.
“It was a good win for us,” Baker said. “We were looking to move up the Western conference. We needed to get this win tonight.”
Flathead def. Big Sky 25-21, 25-23, 25-16
Kills—Big Sky 23 (Grace Louder 7, Kelsi McEnaney 7) Flathead 29 (Tiana Johnson 10), Assists—Big Sky 19 (Katie Rolle 19), Flathead 23 (Sierra Wilhem 22). Blocks—Big Sky 3 (Alex Mintyala 2), Flathead 6 (Ally Gognon 2). Digs—Big Sky 23 (Jada Ogilvie 8), Flathead 36 (Johnson 10). Aces—Big Sky 5 (Rolle 2), Flathead 4 (Julia Burden 2).
Glacier 3, Hellgate 1
Glacier bounced back from a first set loss to beat Missoula Hellgate in four sets and keep pace at the top of Western AA.
The Wolfpack (5-2, 10-6) lost 24-26 in the opening set, only to dominate the next two frames with 25-13 wins. A 25-20 fourth set sealed the victory over the Knights (1-6, 4-10) and kept Glacier in second place in conference.
“It was inconsistent, as shown by the scores,” Glacier coach Christy Harkins said.
Abi Fiske had a match-high 15 kills and five blocks to lead the Wolfpack, which also saw Brietta Russell lead the team with 27 digs and three aces.
“I thought Abi Fiske played well today,” Harkins said. “She did an excellent job at the net. She was very aggressive.”
Glacier def. Hellgate 24-26, 25-13, 25-13, 25-20
Kills—Hellgate 29 (Sydney Little 8), Glacier 46 (Abi Fiske 15). Assists—Hellgate 26 (Kate Koenig 25), Glacier 31 (Ashley Montini 29). Blocks—Hellgate 3 (Kaci Paffhausen 2), Glacier 7 (Fiske 5). Digs—Hellgate 77 (Mia Allery 20), Glacier 57 (Brietta Russell 27). Aces—Hellgate 6 (Paffhausen 3), Glacier 7 (Russell 3).
Troy 3, Noxon 0
TROY — Alyssa Lewis had seven kills and Kaitlyn Downey led Troy in digs and aces as the Trojans swept Noxon in a nonconference match.
Troy held Noxon to just seven points in the first set and made quick work of the next two to earn the victory.
Downey led the Trojans with 20 digs and five aces. Sami Rorich had two blocks and Allie Brown had 13 assists.
Troy def. Noxon 25-7, 25-19, 25-13
Kills— Noxon 10 (Fitchett 9), Troy 19 (Alyssa Lewis 7). Assists— Noxon 6 (Anna Fitchett 2), Troy 19 (Allie Brown 13). Blocks—Noxon 1 (Delaney Weltz), Troy 3 (Sami Rorich 2). Digs—Noxon 42 (Natalia Beardsley 20), Troy 27 (Kaitlyn Downey 20). Aces—Noxon 0, Troy 12 (Downey 5).