Battling at The Brick: Volleyball teams head to Bozeman for state tourney

The All-Class State Volleyball Tournament gets underway at 10 a.m. Thursday, and Flathead Valley teams won’t waste any time getting warmed up at “The Brick,” as we call Brick Breeden Field House in Bozeman.

Glacier starts the State AA tournament with a match against Gallatin; on an adjacent court Bigfork battles Hardin.

Columbia Falls doesn’t play until the 4 p.m. slot in the State A, against Billings Central.

None of the three teams are what you’d call “overdogs,” though Bigfork had a tight superset match with Hardin at a midseason tournament.

Glacier vs. Gallatin The Raptors went through the regular season with one loss against 24 wins, while the Wolfpack enters the fray 12-13. Gallatin is led by Kansas State signee Cadence Lundgren and between her, Makayla Coleman and Kennedy Varda, is tough at the net.

“They are big,” 17th-year Glacier coach Christy Harkins said of the Raptors. “They’re tall. And they play really well at the net. They make it very challenging for your hitters.”

The Pack counters with juniors Mali Carroll and Grace Lingle and sophomore Allie Krueger.

“We’ve been a middle-dominated team all season,” Harkins said. “And the more my middles get going, the better we do. They have tough matchups but that’s all right. It will be a good challenge. “

The Eastern AA has been pretty dominant while winning the last three state championships.

Bigfork vs. Hardin

The in-season pool play match was played to 30, and the Bulldogs won 30-29.

“Since then we’ve just been playing better and better volleyball,” sixthyear Vals coach Ariel Putman, whose club surged to third at the Western A Divisional, said. “This past weekend was one of those where everything just clicks and everybody is super dialed in.”

Seniors MaKenna Torske and Taiya Guptil lead Hardin, along with Johanna Limberhand.

The Valkyries, beset by injuries to two seniors, have rallied behind senior Piper Lee, junior Taylor Howlett and freshman Maddie Hayes Corona.

Columbia Falls vs. Billings Central

Senior Annie Hanser and junior Kamryn Reiner were All-State a year ago for the Rams, who look very formidable.

Eighth-year Wildkats’ coach Jolandie Brooks has mixed seniors like Sadie Cheff, Amalee Alton and Annika Reid with sophomores Rylee Sweeney and Anibelle Middlesworth for a nice attack. This is Columbia Falls’ first trip to State since the 2020 Covid season, which ended in Sidney. Columbia Falls finished second. The Rams won it that year, and in 2021-22 before Hardin took home the title last season.

“We know that they (the Rams) are No. 1 or 2 every year at state,” Brooks said. “It’s a great opportunity to compete at that level for our seniors.

“For our littles, they are hungry I’m so happy to see they get to play at state and see the level and caliber and work it’s going to take.”

Senior Kierra Kemppainen and freshman Jezanie Brooks set the attack in Columbia Falls’ 6-2 offense. Reid averages 9.3 digs a match, Scheff is a consistent hitter and Alton leads the team in digs, aces and kills from the left side.

“I’m so happy for our seniors,” Coach Brooks said. “They just have felt the weight of not doing it the last couple years. They were in tears Saturday, when they made it.”

State AA Thursday

Match 1: Glacier (11-16) vs. Gallatin (241), 10 a.m.

Match 2: Bozeman 23-4) vs. Missoula Sentinel (12-13), noon Match 3: Helena (15-10) vs. Billings West (17-9), 2 p.m.

Match 4: Missoula Hellgate (13-13) vs. Billings Senior (21-3), 4 p.m.

Match 5: Winner 1 vs. Winner 2, 6 p.m. Match 6: Winner 3 vs. Winner 4, 8 p.m.

State A Thursday

Match 1: Hardin (12-5) vs. Bigfork (12-5), 10 a.m.

Match 2: Dillon (14-3) vs. Lewistown (114), noon Match 3: Frenchtown (15-2) vs. Lockwood (12-4), 2 p.m.

Match 4: Billings Central (14-1) vs. Columbia Falls (9-8), 4 p.m.

Match 5: Winner 1 vs. Winner 2, 6 p.m. Match 6: Winner 3 vs. Winner 4, 8 p.m.