Libby hosts Northwest A volleyball tournament

Northwest A district volleyball tournament play kicks off today in Libby, home of the top-seeded Lady Loggers.

Play begins at 2 p.m. with No. 4 seed Polson (4-10 overall, 3-7 conference) taking on No. 5 Ronan (6-9, 2-8).

Whitefish (7-5, 6-4), the No. 3 seed, faces off with No 6. Browning (1-12, 1-9) at 4 p.m.

“We are excited about hosting the tournament,” Libby coach Cindy Ostrem-Johnston said. “Excited to show off the gym and be a good host. We hope everyone has a good time.”

Libby, who remained undefeated in conference play this season (13-1, 10-0), has a bye to the second round and will face the victor of Polson versus Ronan at 6 p.m.

“I expect that all the teams are going to step up,” Ostrem-Johnston said.

“It’s tournament time. We have to be ready for anybody — it’s a new season.

“I feel good about coming off the Missoula tournament,” she added.

“I thought we gained a lot from that tournament, playing against tough teams all weekend. I think that was a really valuable experience for us to get ready for postseason.”

Libby finished third in pool play and fourth in the championship round at the Missoula Invitational, where it competed against several Class AA schools, last weekend.

At 8 p.m, the Columbia Falls Wildkats (10-3, 8-2) the No. 2 seed with a bye to the second round, will play the winner of Whitefish versus Browning.

The Northwest A champion will be crowned after the final round on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Teams that fail to advance to the second round move to loser-out play beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday. The winner of that bracket determines the third-place finisher in the tournament.

Top four teams move on the to divisional tournament in Whitefish.