Bravettes, Wolfpack spikers fall at divisional

MISSOULA — Both Kalispell programs fell in the first round of the Western AA Divisional volleyball tournament Thursday, but Friday’s a new day.

Both Glacier and Flathead remain two victories away from a state tournament berth, after the Wolfpack fell to Missoula Hellgate in three sets and the Bravettes lost in five to Helena Capital. The top four teams qualify, and Flathead has a loser-out match Friday at 11 a.m. against Butte, which lost to top-seeded Helena Thursday.

Glacier draws either Big Sky or Missoula Sentinel in a loser-out at 1 p.m.; the Eagles and Spartans played Thursday’s late match.

Both loser-out matches are at Big Sky High School.

Capital def. Flathead, 3-2

At Big Sky High, the Bravettes won the second and fourth sets before the Bruins claimed the fifth set 15-9 to improve to 3-0 against Flathead this season.

“We lost in five, but it was a battle,” Flathead coach Emily Russell said. “We played really hard and just couldn’t put it all together for the whole match.”

Capital as usual picked up a bunch of blocks from Nyeala Herndon and Tey’Ana Linter, but Flathead got down its share of kills: 44, including 14 by Olive Lynghom, who had four aces and 19 digs.

“She served real strong for us, and played great defense,” Russell said. “She had a great game.”

Georgia Wilson had a solid all-around game with 17 assists, 10 kills and two blocks. Sienna Sterck had 11 kills and 20 digs.

“We’re going to rest up tonight and we look forward to playing Butte tomorrow at 11,” Russell said.

Capital def. Flathead 25-17, 23-25, 25-20, 23-25, 15-9

Kills — Flathead 44 (Olive Lyngholm 14, Sienna Sterck 11, Georgia Wilson 10), Capital 43 (Riley Chandler 11, Nyeala Herndon 7, Tey’ana Lintner 7). Assists — Flathead 42 (Amelia Mason 21, Georgia Wilson 17), Capital 35 (Kayla Almquist 20). Digs — Flathead 86 (Cyan Mooney 20, Sienna Sterck 20), Capital 81 (no leader). Blocks — Flathead 5 (Wilson 2), Capital 13 (Herndon 4, Lintner 3, Almquist 3). Aces — Flathead 13 (Mooney 5, Lyngholm 4, Mason 3), Capital 3 (Chandler 3).

Hellgate def. Glacier 3-0

At Hellgate High, Ashleigh Hall had 10 kills and five blocks, and the Knights swept the match after suffering two five-set losses to the Wolfpack during the regular season.

Ella Farrell had nine kills and two aces to lead the Wolfpack; Maddie Frazier came up with nine digs.

“We are excited to come out tomorrow and continue our fight for State,” Glacier coach Courtney Baker said. “These girls have a lot of heart and we will keep working hard to win.”

Hellgate def. Glacier 25-17, 25-20, 25-21

Kills — Glacier 23 (Ella Farrell 9), Hellgate 31 (Ashleigh Hall 10). Assists — Glacier 19 (Haven Speer 16), Hellgate 28 (Moana Massey 28). Digs — Glacier 28 (Maddie Frazier 9), Hellgate 57 (Lydia Heileson 18, Camille Sherrill 18). Blocks — Glacier 6 (Sarah Downs 2), Hellgate 8 (Hall 5). Aces — Glacier (Farrell 2), Hellgate 8 (Massey 3).

Western AA

Thursday

Helena def. Butte

Helena Capital def. Flathead

Missoula Hellgate def. Glacier

Missoula Sentinel vs. Missoula Big Sky, late

Friday

at Big Sky

11 a.m. — Butte vs. Flathead, loser out

1 p.m. — Glacier vs. Big Sky/Sentinel loser, loser out

at Hellgate

6 p.m. — Helena vs. Capital, semifinal

8 p.m. — Hellgate vs. Big Sky/Sentinel winner, semifinal

Saturday

at Big Sky

9 and 11 a.m. — loser-outs

2 p.m. — Morning winners, third place

4 p.m. — Semifinal winners, championship