Wildkats win twice, nail down state trophy

SIDNEY — The Columbia Falls Wildkats stayed alive for Saturday’s action at the State A tournament, winning two loser-out matches in four sets each Friday.

The Wildkats started with a 25-11, 23-25, 25-15, 25-21 win over Ronan, and then beat Corvallis 25-22, 21-25, 25-18, 25-14 in the loser-takes-fourth match in the nightcap.

Mady Hoerner’s 26 kills against Corvallis helped sew up a state trophy for Columbia Falls, its first since back-to-back titles in 2015-16. The Wildkats will play Hardin – the team that handed them their first loss – Saturday morning. The winner advances to play Billings Central in the championship, needing to beat the Rams twice.

Billings Central downed Hardin in four sets, 22-25, 27-25, 25-18, 27-25, in the winner’s bracket semifinal. It marked the Rams’ fifth straight appearance in the championship. They won one of the previous four appearances, in 2017.

Hardin will earn its first state trophy since 2005.

In Friday’s early matches Corvallis beat Havre in four sets and Ronan ousted Polson in four. Corvallis then beat Glendive.

Havre ended the season 10-8, and Glendive finished up 11-7.

Columbia Falls def.

Corvallis, 3-1

Besides Mady Hoerner’s 26 kills Dillen Hoerner had 11 and Lauren Faulkner seven. That offset 22 kills from the Blue Devils’ Madilyn Gilder.

Hannah Schweikert had 44 assists and eight aces for the Wildkats (18-1)

Corvallis, the defending state champion, ended up 19-4.

Columbia Falls def. Corvallis 25-22, 21-25, 25-16, 25-14

Kills – Columbia Falls 53 (Mady Hoerner 26, Dillen Hoerner 11, Lauren Falkner 7), Corvallis 42 (Madilyn Gilder 22, Tylin Sorenson 8). Assists – Columbia Falls 45 (Hannah Schweikert 44), Corvallis 37 (Brooklyn Powell 32). Digs – Columbia Falls 63 (M. Hoerner 22, D. Hoerner 19, Schweikert 12), Corvallis 4 (Page Coleprete 13, Gilder 12, Katelyn Behner 12). Blocks – Columbia Falls 3 (Schweikert, D. Hoerner, Jazzy Marino), Corvallis 6 (Jenna Jordan 4). Aces – Columbia Falls 13 (Schweikert 8, D. Hoerner 5), Corvallis 2 (Colepret, Behner).

Columbia Falls def.

Ronan 3-1

Mady Hoerner drove down 21 kills and her sister Dillen added 11 as Columbia Falls eliminated Ronan.

The Hoerners combined for 27 digs in the Wildkats’ win over the Maidens. Schweikert checked in with 37 assists and an ace for Columbia Falls (17-1).

Olivia Clairmont had 17 kills to lead Ronan. The Maidens, who ousted Polson in four sets Friday morning, ended up 11-11. Polson finished 10-7.

Columbia Falls def. Ronan 25-11, 23-25, 25-15, 25-21

Kills – Columbia Falls 46 (Mady Hoerner 21, Dillen Hoerner 11), Ronan 36 (Olivia Clairmont 17, Madeline McCrea 12). Assists – Columbia Falls 39 (Hannah Schweikert 37), Ronan 33 (Leina Ulutoa 33). Digs – Columbia Falls 70 ( M. Hoerner 14, D. Hoerner 13), Ronan 38 (Rylie Lindquist 12). Blocks – Columbia Falls 4 (Jazzy Marino 1, Grace Gedlaman 1), Ronan 6 (McCrea 2.5). Aces – Columbia Falls 3 (3 with 1), Ronan 7 (Lindquist 3).

State A

Sidney

Thursday

Columbia Falls def. Havre, 25-21,25-20, 25-11

Hardin def. Corvallis, 19-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-19

Glendive def. Polson, 27-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-19

Billings Central def. Ronan 25-23, 25-21, 25-16

Hardin def. Columbia Falls 25-21, 23-25, 20-25, 25-18, 15-10

Billings Central def. Glendive 25-27, 25-17, 25-11, 25-22

Friday

Corvallis def. Havre 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 25-20, loser out

Ronan def. Polson 25-20, 27-25, 21-25, 25-16, loser out

Corvallis def. Glendive 25-20, 25-14, 25-19, loser out

Columbia Falls def. Ronan 25-11, 23-25, 25-15, 25-21, loser out

Billings Central def. Hardin 22-25, 27-25, 25-18, 27-25, Winner’s bracket semifinal

Columbia Falls def. Corvallis 25-22, 21-25, 25-18, 25-14, loser fourth

Match 12 – Columbia Falls (17-1) vs.Corvallis (19-3), loser fourth, late

Saturday

Match 13 – Hardin (12-5) vs. Columbia Falls (18-1), loser third, 10 a.m.

Match 14 – Billings Central (18-2) vs. Winner 13, Championship, noon

Match 15 – If necessary, 2 p.m.