VOLLEYBALL: Libby block stops Eureka
LIBBY — Brooklyn Rainer had 11 kills and 10 blocks and Libby rallied after losing two of the first three games to edge Eureka 25-19, 19-25, 24-26, 25-17, 15-9 in District 7B action on Friday night.
The Loggers (10-2, 5-1 District 7B) were terrific defensively, coming up with 19 blocks in the victory.
“We took advantage of the height that we have and we blocked more aggressively tonight,” Libby coach Cindy Ostrem-Johnston said.
“I felt like we were reading hitters better, we were getting in better position.”
Jayden Winslow added seven blocks and 15 digs. Mehki Sykes led the way offensively with 17 kills.
“It was stressful,” Ostrem-Johnston said of the match.
“But honestly, it’s good for us to be in those situations and know how to play under that pressure. You never know what’s going to happen tournament time so you never want to have it too easy. It was a good battle.”
Kaylee Kronsperger led Eureka (7-6, 1-4) with 14 kills.
Kassi Peterson chipped in 13 kills and had two blocks.
Libby def. Eureka 25-19, 19-25, 24-26, 25-17, 15-9
Kills — Eureka 44 (Kaylee Kronsperger 14, Kassi Peterson 13). Libby 46 (Mehki Sykes 17, Brooklyn Rainer 11). Blocks — Eureka 3 (Peterson 2), Libby 19 (Rainer 10, Jayden Winslow 7). Digs — Eureka 69 (Rylee Morgan 24), Libby 70 (Winslow 15, Alli Collins 15). Assists — Eureka 39 (Liz Pacella 39), Libby 42 (Collins 39). Aces — Eureka 3 (no leader), Libby 13 (Jessica Jones 5).
Late Thursday
Libby 3, Bigfork 0
BIGFORK — Brooklyn Rainer had 13 kills and two blocks to lead the Loggers to a 25-14, 25-17, 25-23 District 7B win.
Libby (9-2, 4-1 District 7B) had 33 kills and piled up 14 aces in the win, led by six for Alli Collins.
Emma Gruber added 13 digs for the Loggers.
Bigfork (8-4, 2-3) was led by Abby Ellison’s 13 kills and Jamie Berg’s two blocks.
Libby def. Bigfork, 25-14, 25-17, 25-23
Kills — Libby 33 (Brooklyn Rainer 13), Bigfork 23 (Abby Ellison 13). Blocks — Libby 4 (Rainer 2, Mehki Sykes 2), Bigfork 3 (Jaime Berg 2). Digs — Libby 30 (Emma Gruber 13), Bigfork 20 (Abbie Fraley 4). Assists — Libby 28 (Alli Collins 27), Bigfork 21 (Kalia Wicklund 21). Aces — Libby 14 (Collins 6), Bigfork 4 (Reese Nissen 2).