Young Corvallis team gained experience at state

The Corvallis Blue Devils opened up their state tournament play with a win over Columbia Falls on Thursday. Led by Joanna Avery and Kelsey Irwin who combined for 17 kills, the Blue Devils swept the WildKats for the win. Irwin also had 14 digs and three aces.
Corvallis def. Columbia Falls 25-23, 25-18, 25-23
Kills – Corvallis 33 (Joanna Avery 9, Kelsey Irwin 8), Columbia Falls 31 (Hope Burlage 15, Haley Belgrade 8). Blocks – Corvallis 5 (Kelsey Raynal 2, Laura Berner 2), Columbia Falls 4 (Ciera Finberg 3, Belgrade 2). Digs – Corvallis 67 (Berner 17, Irwin 14), Columbia Falls (Belgrade 15, Tiffany Hammer 14). Assists – Corvallis 29 (Alex Price 17, Laura Berner 10), Columbia Falls 31 (Alli Dierenfeld 20, Burlage 10). Aces – Corvallis 6 (Irwin 3), Columbia Falls 5 (Ciera Finberg 2, Burlage 2, Shaylene Fishel).
Next up for the Blue Devils were the Laurel Locomotives. Corvallis began the match strongly and won the first game, 25-27. But then the eventual state champions caught fire and went on to take the match from Corvallis. Irwin had 17 kills and two aces in the match.
Laurel def. Corvallis 25-27, 25-19, 25-20, 25-17
Kills – Laurel 45 (Callen Rosselot 15); Corvallis 47 (Kelsey Irwin 17). Blocks – Laurel 18 (Taylor 4.5); Corvallis 3 (Joanna Avery 1). Digs – Laurel 173 (Bailey Kennedy 40); Corvallis 112 (Katie Patterson 34). Assists – Laurel 38 (Jayde LeFevre 37); Corvallis 38 (Alex Price 20). Aces – Laurel 9 (Karishell Herden 3, Amanda Taylor 3); Corvallis 3 (Irwin 2).

Corvallis met up with Billings Central in loser out action on Friday. The Rams won the first two games but then Corvallis rallied to win the third game. They fought a tough fourth match but couldn’t pull out a win for the fourth game and finished their season. It was Irwin again who led the team with 13 kills. Avery had three blocks and Berner and Katie Patterson each had two aces. Corvallis finished their season with a 13-7 record.
Billings Central def. Corvallis, 25-18, 25-17, 15-25, 26-24.
Kills – Billings Central 54 (Justyn Juhl 23), Corvallis 37 (Kelsey Irwin 13). Blocks – Billings Central 7 (Jenny Garber 3), Corvallis 7 (Joanna Avery 3). Digs – Billings Central 140 (Juhl 30), Corvallis 88 (Alex Price 24). Assists – Billings Central 47 (Baylee Hadley 43), Corvallis 36 (Price 19). Aces – Billings Central 5 (Juhl 2), Corvallis 6 (Laura Berner 2, Katie Patterson 2).