The volleyball season got off to a strong start with all of the schools but Florence and Stevensville hitting the courts this weekend. Victor and Darby began their season on Friday while Corvallis and Hamilton hosted double headers on Saturday.
The Blue Devils defeated Whitefish in three games, 25-11, 25-15, and 25-20. Joanna Avery had nine kills and three blocks in the match. Alex Price had 16 digs. Corvallis defeated Columbia Falls, 25-12, 25-13, 25-17. Kelsey Irwin had 11 kills and Avery made two blocks and six aces.
Corvallis def. Whitefish, 25-11, 25-15, 25-20.
Kills – Whitefish 17 (Marlow Schulz 7), Corvallis 21 (Joanna Avery 9). Blocks – Whitefish 8 (Bekah Weaver 4, Myndi Holbrook 4), Corvallis 6 (Avery 3). Digs – Whitefish 15 (Maura Kalbfresh 4), Corvallis 40 (Alex Price 16). Assists – Whitefish 15 (Weaver 12), Corvallis 21 (Price 14). Aces – Whitefish 0, Corvallis 6 (Avery).
Corvallis def. Columbia Falls, 25-12, 25-13, 25-17
Kills – C. Falls 16 (Winter Kemppainean 6), Corvallis 31 (Kelsey Irwin 11). Blocks – C. Falls 4, Corvallis 6 (Joanna Avery 2). Digs – C. Falls 12 (Carla Niciosia 6), Corvallis 26 (Laura Berner 9). Assists – C. Falls 12 (Cydney Finberg 8), Corvallis 26 (Alex Price 19). Aces – C. Falls 0, Corvallis 11 (Avery 6).
Hamilton rallied back in the fourth game to send the match to five games against Columbia Falls. They then went on to win the match with a 15-8 win in game five. Penny Gwynn finished the match with 15 kills and three aces. With only three seniors on the team, the young Lady Bronc team played tough and didn’t lose their composure.
Hamilton def. Columbia Falls, 22-25, 25-13, 24-26, 25-17, 15-8.
Kills – C. Falls leader Winter Kemppainean 8, Hamilton 52 (Penny Gwynn 15). Blocks – C. Falls leader Ciera Finberg 3, Hamilton 2. Digs – C. Falls leader Shay Fishel 18, Hamilton 60 (Kelsey Pitzinger). Assists – C. Falls leader Cydney Finberg 11, Hamilton 50 (Makayla Horvath 34). Aces – C. Falls leader Kemppainean 2, Hamilton 11 (Gwynn 3).
In their second match of the day, the Lady Broncs fell short in the fifth game and lost the match, 3-2. It was Gwynn again who had nine kills. Shannon Casale finished with 17 digs.
Whitefish def. Hamilton, 25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 11-25, 15-11
Kills – Whitefish 43 (Marlow Schulz 11), Hamilton 31 (Penny Gwynn 9). Blocks – Whitefish 6 (Schulz 3), Hamilton 4. Digs – Whitefish 71 (Brittany Barnes 28), Hamilton 38 (Shannon Casale 17). Assists – Whitefish 32 (Bekah Weaver 20), Hamilton 30 (Makayla Horvath 27). Aces – Whitefish 8 (Weaver 2), Hamilton 5.
Lincoln defeated Victor in three games, 25-19, 25-21, and 25-21. Victor’s Amber Ibey had six kills and three blocks.
Lincoln def. Victor, 25-19, 25-21, 25-21.
Kills – Victor 12 (Amber Ibey 6), Lincoln 14 (Abby Erickson 4). Blocks – Victor 5 (Ibey 3), Lincoln 5 (Erickson 3). Digs – Victor 13 (Maddy Richors 3), Lincoln 14 (Katie Deluca 3, Abby Castagne 3). Assists – Lincoln 22 (Dani Cyr 11). Aces – Victor 5 (Michaela Portner 2), Lincoln 5 (Castagne 2, Erickson 2).
Darby swept Alberton, 25-17, 25-18, 25-21. Lacey Dolcater had two assists and Sydney Bergren had five aces.
Darby def. Alberton, 25-17, 25-18, 25-21
Kills – Darby 11 (Keeley Ehmann 4, Jessica Campbell 4). Digs – Darby 5, (Lacey Dolcater 2). Assists – Darby 11 (Dolcater 6). Aces – Darby 13 (Sydney Bergren 5).
Corvallis, who won the Southwest A conference last year, topped Whitefish and Columbia Falls. With a veteran team in place, the Blue Devils will be a team to watch all season.