Eureka spikers pull out thriller against T-Falls

EUREKA — Sienna Utter and Maggie Graves had 18 kills each as Eureka rallied to upend Thompson Falls 28-30, 24-26, 25-21, 25-23, 15-12 in a District 7B marathon volleyball match on Saturday afternoon.

Avory Escobar had a strong all-around match with team highs in digs (14) and assists (33) and sharing the lead in aces with Katie Komac, both with three, for Eureka.

While Eureka held a 44-35 advantage in kills, Thompson Falls nearly doubled Eureka in blocks, 15-8.

“It was unbelieveable,” Eureka coach Casey Jacobson said.

“They left everything on the court. At the end, they were exhausted.”

Eureka led 21-11 in the first set, only to lose 30-28.

The Lions led most of the way in the final one to claim the win.

Three sets were decided by two points.

“Very even,” Jacobson said of the two teams.

“Trying to capitalize on the other’s mistakes and get the momentum.”

Eureka (2-4 overall, 1-0 league) continues with 7B action on Thursday at Bigfork.

“They never give up, no matter the score,” Jacobson said.

“They will always play through the match.

“Super proud of the girls,” she added.

“They played super hard. They dug deep and they like to win in five.”

Kills — Thompson Falls 35 (Scarlette Schwindt 13), Eureka 44 (Sienna Utter 18, Maggie Graves 18); Blocks — Thompson Falls 15 (Belle Cooper 4, Jody Detlaff 4), Eureka 8 (Karley Bozarth 2, Rhianna Hawkins 2); Assists — Thompson Falls 27 (Riley Wilson 14), Eureka 37 (Escobar 33); Digs — Thompson Falls 59 (Maya Stiles 15), Eureka 59 (Escobar 14, Hawkins 12); Aces — Thompson Falls 14 (Schwindt 7), Eureka 15 (Escobar 3, Katie Komac 3).

Shelby 3, Bigfork 1

SHELBY — Bigfork managed to open with a victory in the first set, but Shelby rebounded to top the Valkyries in Class B nonconference play 14-25, 25-13, 25-17, 25-23.

“We played really hard,” Bigfork coach Schuyler Tudor said.

“We’ve had a couple of injuries, changed our lineup a couple times, trying to get into the swing of things.”

Shelby held an edge in kills, 34-22, and blocks, 7-4.

Bigfork had 52 digs, 10 more than Shelby.

Bigfork (2-3) hosts Eureka in District 7B play on Thursday.

Kills — Bigfork 22 (Josie Howlett 6, Brooke Fraley 5), Shelby 34 (Sayler Martin 9); Blocks — Bigfork 3 (Shea Meisner 2), Shelby 7 (Maddison Underdal 5); Assists — Bigfork 16 (Aubrey Halverson 13), Shelby 23 (Brooke Luly 13); Digs — Bigfork 52 (Jaclyn Saunders 18), Shelby 42 (Kendall Anderson 12); Aces — Bigfork 4 (Halverson, Saunders, Howlett, Meisner), Shelby 13 (Martin 4).

Loyola 3, Troy 0

TROY – Loyola defeated Troy 25-13, 25-21, 25-18 in Class B nonconference play.

Megan Tribble had 17 digs for Loyola and Molly McHugh recorded four service aces and 15 assists. For Troy, Annie Day notched 16 assists and Katelyn Tallmadge had four service aces.

Kills – Loyola 24 (Sam Clevenger 12), Troy 20 (Ella Pierce 7); Digs – Loyola 40 (Megan Tribble 17), Troy 39 (Mazzy Hermes 9); Aces – Loyola 12 (Molly McHugh 4), Troy 12 (Katelynn Tallmadge 4); Blocks – Loyola 4 (Pierce 3), Troy 7 (Carly Tipp 5); Assists – Loyola 15 (McHugh 15), Troy 18 (Annie Day 16).

Libby 3, Browning 0

BROWNING — Libby took care of business in beating Browing 25-16, 25-12, 25-12 in Northwest A Conference play.

Libby dominated net play with 47 kills to nine for Browning.

Mehki Sykes had 14 kills and Jayden Winslow 12.

Libby is back on the court Tuesday hosting Troy in a nonconference outing.

Kills — Libby 47 (Mehki Sykes 14, Jayden Winslow 12); Browning 9 (D. Skunkcap 2, T. Guardipee 2); Blocks — Libby 5 (Winslow 1, Kenzie Profitt 1), Browning 5 (Abby Bullcalf 1, Skunkcap 1); Assists — Libby 24 (Alli Collins 32), Browning 9 (Kiyana Ratd 9); Digs — Libby 31 (Emma Gruber 11, Winslow 5), Browning 19 (P. Crossguns 8, P. Armstrong 6); Aces — Libby 6 (Collins 3, Linsey Walker 2), Browning 1 (Crossguns).

Stillwater Christian 3,

Helena Christian 0

Stillwater (3-3, 2-0) defeated Helena Christian School 25-12, 25-21, 25-7 on Friday in conference play at its Cougar Classic.

Helena Hashley had seven of Stillwater’s 24 kills and led in digs with six.

Stillwater Stats vs. Helena

Aces — 25 (Cora Boll 8); Kills — 24 (Helen Hashley 7); Assists — 26 (Ramey Metzger 24); Blocks — 4 (Abby Hudson 3); Digs — 17 (Hashley 6)