VOLLEYBALL: Glacier, Flathead drop conference matches
Glacier won the first set but Helena Capital rallied to take the next three and earn a Western AA conference volleyball victory 20-25, 25-21, 25-12, 25-17 Friday night.
Capital’s Taylor Sullivan had 12 kills and six blocks as the Bruins asserted themselves and took control of the second half of the match.
“Capital played aggressive and we did not respond,” Glacier coach Christy Harkins said. “They got us on our heels and we stayed there the rest of the night.”
The Bruins had 53 kills to just 33 for the Wolfpack, and Capital’s back-line defense was excellent, coming up with 94 digs.
Nikki Krueger led Glacier with 12 kills. Kali Gulick added six blocks.
The Wolfpack (3-3, 0-1 Western AA) is back in action today at 1 p.m. against Helena High.
Helena Capital def. Glacier 20-25, 25-21, 25-12, 25-17
Kills — Capital 53 (Taylor Sullivan 12), Glacier 33 (Nikki Krueger 12). Blocks — Capital 8 (Sullivan 6), Glacier 9 (Kali Gulick 6). Digs — Capital 94 (Celina Sanchez 16, Sarah Ashley 16), Glacier 61 (Brietta Russell 21). Assists — Capital 49 (Sanchez 37), Glacier 30 (McKenna Johnson 15, Ashley Montini 15). Aces — Capital 4 (Ashley 3), Glacier 5 (Russell 2).
Helena 3, Flathead 0
Flathead came up empty in a Western AA outing with visiting Helena High, but the Bravettes closed the scoring gap as the match wore on in losing 25-16, 25-20, 25-23.
Flathead won the block battle, 9-8, with Helena and led in digs 48-41.
Tiana Johnson had seven of the Bravettes’ 18 kills, led in blocks with five and aces with three.
“The girls fought hard,” Flathead coach Courtney Baker said.
“They are getting better.
“The younger girls are stepping up,” she added.
“It’s fun to watch them play.”
Flathead hosts Helena Capital today at 1 p.m.
Helena High def. Flathead 25-16, 25-20, 25-23
Kills — Helena High 38 (Jamie Pickens 12), Flathead 18 (Tiana Johnson 7); Blocks — Helena High 8 (Taylor Huot 3), Flathead 9 (Johnson 5); Assists — Helena High 36 (Kendra Kioker 20), Flathead 15 (Bailey Nunn 8) Digs — Helena High 41 (Kendra Woodland 17), Flathead 48 (Abbi Chavez 11); Aces — Helena High 10 (Kioker 4), Flathead 8 (Johnson 3)
Libby 3, Ronan 1
RONAN — Mehki Sykes had nine kills and four blocks to lead the Loggers to a come-from-behind 20-25, 25-11, 25-19, 25-19 win in Ronan in Class B nonconference action.
Libby (4-1) had a balanced offensive day with 34 kills, but no more than Skyes’ nine for any player. The Loggers were boosted by 16 aces, including six for Haylee Cannon.
Alicia Camel paced Ronan (1-4) with 11 kills and four blocks.
Libby def. Ronan 20-25, 25-11, 25-19, 25-19
Kills — Libby 34 (Mehki Sykes 9), Ronan 28 (Alicia Camel 11). Blocks — Libby 6 (Sykes 4), Ronan 7 (Camel 4). Digs — Libby 35 (Jayden Winslow 12), Ronan 75 (Sadie Wirz 15). Assists — Libby 28 (Alli Collins 17), Ronan 25 (Shaina Snyder 16). Aces — Libby 16 (Haylee Cannon 6), Ronan 3 (Gabby Wirz 2).