VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP: Glacier downs Big Sky; Columbia Falls still perfect
MISSOULA — Sophomore Kali Gulick led the way with 13 kills and Glacier rebounded from a rocky first game to take care of Missoula Big Sky 18-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-22 Saturday afternoon.
The Wolfpack (11-6, 6-2 Western AA) maintained its hold on second place in the conference with the win, putting down 49 kills to Big Sky’s 39. Glacier back row was solid, too, posting 44 digs, 16 from Brietta Russell.
Ashley Montini dished out 28 assists and notched a pair of aces in the win, Glacier’s third straight and sixth in its last seven matches.
Kelsi McEnaney led Big Sky (4-12, 1-7) with 14 kills.
The Wolfpack returns to action Friday at 7 p.m. at Helena High.
Glacier def. Big Sky 18-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-22
Kills — Glacier 49 (Kali Gulick 13), Big Sky 39 (Kelsi McEnaney 14, Grace Lowder 7). Blocks — Glacier 5 (no leader), Big Sky 8 (Brooke Kearns 6). Digs — Glacier 44 (Brietta Russell 16), Big Sky 35 (Jada Ogilvie 9). Assists — Glacier 35 (Ashley Montini 28), Big Sky 32 (Katie Rolle 28). Aces — Glacier 6 (Montini 2), Big Sky 5 (Payton Hudson 4).
Columbia Falls 3, Frenchtown 0
COLUMBIA FALLS — Columbia Falls cruised to its 11th straight win and remained undefeated with a 25-11, 25-20, 25-18 Northwestern A conference victory over Frenchtown.
The defending Class A state champion Wildkats (11-0, 5-0 Northwestern A) swept the Broncs for the second time this year and clinched the conference title in the process.
Morgan Stenger led Columbia Falls with eight kills and Cydney Finberg added 24 assists. Keavyn Baker chipped in 12 digs and four aces in the win.
Allison Hochhalter paced Frenchtown with eight kills.
Columbia Falls def. Frenchtown 25-11, 25-20, 25-18
Kills — Frenchtown 26 (Allison Hochhalter 8), Columbia Falls 33 (Morgan Stenger 8). Blocks — Frenchtown 1 (no leader), Columbia Falls 3 (K.J. Schweikert 2). Digs — Frenchtown 36 (Maddy Boller 15), Columbia Falls 39 (Keavyn Baker 12). Assists — Frenchtown 19 (Lexi Statlen 14), Columbia Falls 28 (Cydney Finberg 24). Aces — Frenchtown 2 (no leader), Columbia Falls 8 (Baker 4).
Whitefish 3, Polson 1
POLSON — Libby Nagler led Whitefish in assists with 25 and aces with four as the Bulldogs defeated Polson 25-27, 25-11, 25-12, 25-14 in a Northwestern A match.
Hannah Fryberg had a strong outing for Polson (2-7, 1-4 Northwestern A) with 11 kills and eight aces.
“I thought we came out with a bang,” Polson coach Patricia Luetzen said of taking the first set.
“We surprised Whitefish, but we couldn’t keep that intensity.”
Annisa Brown led Whitefish (5-4, 3-2) with 11 kills. Serena Hemmingson added 17 digs.
Whitefish def. Polson 25-27, 25-11, 25-12, 25-14
Kills — Whitefish 40 (Annisa Brown 11), Polson 38 (Hannah Fryberger 11, Lauren Lefthand 9, Mikaela DuCharme 8); Blocks — Whitefish 3, Polson; Assists — Whitefish 31 (Libby Nagler 25), Polson 31 (Kaelyn Smith 19); Digs — Whitefish 57 (Serena Hemmingson 17), Polson 37 (Kyler Lundeen 17, Laurel Bitterman 8); Aces — Whitefish 8 (Nagler 4), Polson 9 (Fryberger 8).
Thompson Falls 3, Bigfork 1
THOMPSON FALLS — The Valkyries won the second game but league-leading Thompson Falls came back to take the last two and post a 25-22, 22-25, 25-23, 25-15 District 7B conference win.
Bigfork (8-5, 2-4 District 7B) totaled 38 kills but the Blue Hawks were even better, putting down 49 kills behind a match-high 17 for Ember Schwindt.
Abbie Fraley notched 16 kills to lead the Vals and Brooke Fraley chipped in two blocks and 13 digs.
Thompson Falls def. Bigfork 25-22, 22-25, 25-23, 25-15
Kills — Bigfork 38 (Abbie Fraley 16), Thompson Falls 49 (Ember Schwindt 17). Blocks — Bigfork 3 (Brooke Fraley 2), Thompson Falls 11 (Schmindt 4). Digs — Bigfork 43 (B. Fraley 13), Thompson Falls 31 (Sierra Sorlie 8). Assists — Bigfork 34 (Kalia Wicklund 33), Thompson Falls 47 (Haley Wilson 47). Aces — Bigfork 7 (three with two), Thompson Falls 4 (Schwindt 2).