Eureka into semis at Western B volleyball divisional
EUREKA — Eureka edged past Deer Lodge in four sets at the Western B divisional volleyball tournament on Thursday and is now one win away from clinching a spot at the state tournament.
The Lions lost their first set to Deer Lodge in extras, falling 25-27, but dominated the next two sets, winning 25-9 and 25-16, to give themselves the upper hand. Deer Lodge rallied to make the fourth set close, but Eureka was able to find the extra points, winning 26-24 to clinch the win and advance to the semifinals.
Eureka will play Western powerhouse Florence at 6 p.m. today for a spot in the championship game and a guaranteed bid to the state tournament.
Florence beat Bigfork in three sets to advance to the semifinals, topping the Valkyries 25-20, 25-22, 25-10.
Bigfork topped Anaconda in three sets in the first round 25-19, 25-16, 25-21. The Vals will play in a loser-out match at 2 p.m. today against the winner of a loser-out match between Missoula Loyola and Troy.
Deer Lodge will play the winner of a loser-out match between Thompson Falls and Anaconda in the other loser-out match.
Teams in the loser-out bracket have a chance to make the state championship match but have to win at least two matches today and Saturday’s third-place match. The top two teams from the divisional advance to the state tournament.
The state tournament will be held next week at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman.
Western B Divisional Volleyball
at Eureka
First Round
Eureka def. Loyola Sacred Heart 25-15, 25-20, 25-22
Kills — Eureka 37 (Kassi Peterson 16), Loyola 22 (Sam Clevenger 8). Assists — Eureka 37 (Liz Pacella 37), 16 (Jacy Job 13). Blocks — Eureka 0, Loyola 4 (Job 3). Digs — Eureka 23 (Rylee Morgan 10), Loyola 48 (Megan Tribble 19). Aces — Eureka 13 (Avory Escobar 5), Loyola 5 (Bridget McCue 2).
Deer Lodge def. Troy, 15-25, 26-24, 25-22, 16-25, 15-9
Kills — Deer Lodge 39 (Kerstin Cooper 15), Troy 16 (Aurora Becquart). Assists — Deer Lodge 33 (Kamryn Scully 31), Troy 33 (Annie Day). Blocks — Deer Lodge 4 (Ariel Clark 2), Troy 5 (Becquart). Digs — Deer Lodge n/a, Troy 13 (Day). Aces — Deer Lodge 8 (Scully 2, Cooper 2), Troy 4 (Kaitlyn Downey).
Florence def. Thompson Falls, 25-14, 25-10, 25-9
Kills — Florence 30 (Rilee Mangun 7), Thompson Falls 12 (Lexy Van Elswyk 5). Assists — Florence 26 (Shay Waldbillig 25), Thompson Falls 6 (Riley Wilson 5). Blocks — Florence 3 (Mangun 2), Thompson Falls 5 (Van Elswyk 2). Digs — Florence 28 (Hudsyn DiBrito 11), Thompson Falls 19 (Maya Stiles 5, Riley Wilson 5). Aces — Florence 8 (Mangun 3), Thompson Falls 1 (Stiles).
Bigfork def. Anaconda, 25-19, 25-16, 25-21
Kills — Bigfork 31 (Jaime Berg 13), Anaconda 22 (Kelsie Oxnam 7). Assists — Bigfork 26 (Aubrey Halverson 13), Anaconda 19 (Syd Peterson 12). Blocks — Bigfork 1 (Abby Ellison), Anaconda 1 (Claire Miller 1). Digs — Bigfork 71 (Abby Ellison 15), Anaconda 60 (Oxnam 13, Johanna Forsberg 13). Aces — Bigfork 4 (Two with 2), Anaconda 6 (Oxnam 3).
Championship Quarterfinals
Eureka def. Deer Lodge 25-27, 25-9, 25-16, 26-24
Kills — Eureka 55 (Kassi Peterson 24), Deer Lodge 23 (Alyssa Lamb 8). Assists — Eureka 49 (Liz Pacella 49), Deer Lodge 22 (Kamryn Scully 22). Blocks — Eureka 2 (Bailey Bishop 2), Deer Lodge 9 (Jessie Gravely 3, Ariel Clark 3). Digs — Eureka 24 (Rylee Morgan 17), Deer Lodge n/a. Aces — Eureka 17 (Pacella 4, Sienna Utter 4), Deer Lodge 7 (Kerstin Cooper 3, Darcy Walker 3).
Florence def. Bigfork 25-20, 25-22, 25-10
Kills — Florence 43 (Sarah Hopcroft 15), Bigfork 18 (Abby Ellison 7). Assists — Florence 36 (Shay Waldbillig 32), Bigfork 20 (Aubrey Halverson 17). Blocks — Florence 4 (Jacelyn Balfourd 2), Bigfork n/a. Digs — Florence 44 (Hudsyn DiBriton 18), Bigfork 29 (Ellison 8). Aces — Florence 5 (DiBrito 2, Shannon Byrne 2), Bigfork 3 (Brooke Fraley 2).