Glacier spills Capital; Whitefish 2nd at volleyball tournament
HELENA — Nikki Krueger had 11 kills and Kali Gulick 10 blocks to power fourth-ranked Glacier to a 25-21, 25-22, 25-22 Western AA volleyball victory over No. 5 Helena Capital on Saturday afternoon.
Glacier (13-6 overall, 8-2 league) put down 35 kills to Capital’s 26. The Wolfpack also led the Bruins (8-8, 6-4) in blocks, 13-8.
“Definitely the net play,” Glacier coach Christy Harkins said of what stood out.
“And we were more solid on defense than we were before.”
Glacier topped Helena High on Friday, 3-1.
The next action for Glacier is the Missoula Invitational on Thursday and Friday.
Kills — Glacier 35 (Nikki Krueger 11), Capital 26 (Katie Culver 6, Korrin Thornock 6); Assists — Glacier 32 (Ashley Montini 31), Capital 26 (Celina Sanchez 23); Digs — Glacier 44 (Brietta Russell 15), Capital 58 (Thornock 12, Sanchez 10); Blocks — Glacier 13 (Kali Gulick 10), Capital 8 (Katie Culver 7); Aces — Glacier 6 (N/A), Capital 7 (Aubrey McMaster 2, Thornock 2).
Helena 3, Flathead 0
HELENA — Tiana Johnson had a strong performance at the net for Flathead with 16 kills and four blocks, but Helena High had more balance in netting a 25-23, 25-19, 25-19 Western AA victory.
Jamie Pickens had 10 kills and Taelyr Krantz and Alexis Danz seven each for Helena.
Pickens added five blocks and Danz three.
Flathead is back on the court Thursday and Friday at the Missoula Invitational.
Kills — Flathead 33 (Tiana Johnson 16), Helena 30 (Jamie Pickens 10, Taelyr Krantz 7, Alexis Danz 7); Assists — Flathead 28 (Sierra Wilhelm 27), Helena 29 (Kendra Kloker 15, Kaci Lloyd 13); Digs — Flathead 41 (Madde Boles 11, Julia Burden 11), Helena 35 (Kendra Woodland 13, Taelyr Krantz 9); Blocks — Flathead 5 (Johnson 4), Helena 9 (Jamie Pickens 5, Alexis Danz 3); Aces — Flathead 5 (Kirstin Wade 3), Helena 7 (Kaci Lloyd 3, Kendra Kloker 3).
Whitefish 2nd at Butte Central Invitational
BUTTE — Belgrade defeated Whitefish 25-23, 25-14 in the championship match.
Whitefish beat Butte Central in the semifinals 25-21, 25-22 and Corvallis in the quarterfinals 25-16, 25-18.
The Bulldogs went 2-2 in bracket play to qualify for the championship round.
“Overall it was a good day, a great tournament for us,” Whitefish coach Jackie Fuller said.
“It was an opportunity to see class A schools from the other side. A productive day.”
Whitefish Stats (includes all matches)
Kills — 94 (Mirielle Kruger 31, Cailyn Ross 19)
Blocks — 10 (Ross 5)
Assists — 87 (Libby Nagler 68)
Digs — 166 (Serena Hemmingson 50)
Aces — 18 (Kate Doorn 6)
Bigfork 3, Troy 0
TROY — Bigfork defeated Troy 25-19, 25-22, 25-14 to sweep the season series between the two District 7B teams.
Abbie Fraley and Abby Ellison had six kills each for Bigfork. Kalia Wicklund led in assists (22) and aces (four).
Olivia Roach had four kills and Kaitlyn Downey totaled 17 digs for Troy.
Bigfork won the earlier meeting, 3-1.
Kills — Bigfork 24 (Abbie Fraley 6, Abby Ellison 6), Troy 9 (Olivia Roach 4); Blocks — Bigfork 5 (Brooke Fraley 2), Troy 2 (Allie Coldwell 1, Sami Rohrich 1); Assists — Bigfork 22 (Kalia Wicklund 22), Troy 9 (Allie Brown 9); Digs — Bigfork 37 (Ellison 10), Troy 31 (Kaitlyn Downey 17); Aces — Bigfork 11 (Wicklund 4), Troy 5 (Alissa Lewis 3).
Eureka 3, Thompson Falls 2
THOMPSON FALLS — Eureka (9-6, 3-4) survived a wild District 7B matchup with Thompson Falls, winning 25-21, 25-17, 22-25, 22-25, 15-9.
It was the first league loss for Thompson Falls.
“ A big win for us, big momentum builder,” Eureka coach Charli Chapman said.
“The girls played well together.”
Kassie Peterson and Kaylee Kronsperger led the net game for the Lions with 14 and 11 kills, respectively. Peterson also registered four blocks.
Kills — Eureka 41 (Kassi Peterson 14, Kaylee Kronsperger 11), Thompson Falls 37 (Sierra Sorlie 12); Blocks — Eureka 5 (Peterson 4), Thompson Falls 21 (Ember Schwindt 11). Digs — Eureka NA (Rylee Morgan 11), Thompson Falls 85 (Madi Wheeler 19). Assists — Eureka 34 (Liz Pacella 34), Thompson Falls 28 (Schwindt 17). Aces — Eureka 14 (Morgan 6, Erynn Thier 4), Thompson Falls 4 (Madi Wheeler 2, Megan McKenzie 2).