The volleyball season hit the midpoint of the season this past weekend and it’s shaping up to be a strong run from here to the Divisional Tournament in Hamilton at the end of October. A couple of tough teams came to the valley and played Hamilton and Corvallis on Saturday. Columbia Falls and Whitefish are two tough programs and they showed their strength against the local teams.
Columbia Falls defeated Hamilton, 3-1, and then went on to top Corvallis, 3-1. Hamilton fell to Whitefish but Corvallis took five games and won in the final 15-13.
Hamilton relies upon four seniors, Shannon Casale, Kloie Nye, Caitlin Dillon and Jordan Bauder as the leaders and the scorers. Casale is an all around player who is strong on offense. Nye is the Libero and is strong in the backcourt. Dillon has stepped into the setting position and is able to set the ball to her team’s advantage. Bauder is strong on the serve and at the net.
Corvallis has Genesis Keith and Olivia Smart at the net for blocking and offense. Hannah Capko is working well on offense as well as knocking down aces. Holly Wilson, Taia Tully and Ashley Davis are all playing tough and will only get better.
Stevensville’s Mariah Hinson is playing tough and motivating her team. She is a determined player who can really knock down a kill. Freshman Quinn Larson is coming on as a setter and developing a strong sense of the court.
Columbia Falls def. Hamilton, 25-11, 20-25, 25-15, 25-17.
Kills – Columbia Falls (Stenger 10, Kaitlyn Casazza 10), Hamilton 24 (Shannon Casale 13). Blocks – Columbia Falls (Stenger 3), Hamilton 10 (Kacia Guisinger 4). Digs – Columbia Falls (Nicosia 19), Hamilton 80 (Kloie Nye 21). Assists – Hamilton 22 (Caitlin Dillon 22). Aces – Hamilton 4 (Dillon, Tristy Searle, Caitlin Gillespie, Jordan Bauder).
Whitefish def. Hamilton, 25-9, 22-25, 25-12, 25-15.
Kills – Whitefish 47, Hamilton 23 (Casale 7). Blocks – Whitefish 7, Hamilton 3 (Casale 2). Digs – Whitefish 49, Hamilton 76 (Nye 28). Assists – Whitefish 47, Hamilton 23 (Dillon 22). Aces – Whitefish 15, Hamilton 12 (Casale 7).
Corvallis def. Whitefish, 25-21, 19-25, 22-25, 25-22, 15-13.
Kills – Whitefish 37, Corvallis 45 (Genesis Keith 7). Blocks – Whitefish 4, Corvallis 4 (Olivia Smart 1.5). Digs – Whitefish 58, Corvallis 106 (Ashley Davis 30). Assists – Whitefish 37, Corvallis 37 (Holly Wilson 33). Aces – Whitefish 5, Corvallis 12 (Hannah Capko 4).
Columbia Falls def. Corvallis, 25-23, 25-22, 16-25, 27-29, 15-12.
Kills – C Falls (Bedurlage 16), Corvallis 51 (Capko 17). Blocks – C Falls (Stenger 2), Corvallis 4 (Keith 3). Digs – C Falls (Nicosia 16), Corvallis 100 (Davis 24). Assists – C Falls (Finberg 35), Corvallis 43 (Wilson 39). Aces – C Falls 3, Corvallis 13 (Taia Tully 6).
Stevensville def. Frenchtown, 26-24, 25-14, 25-17.
Kills – Stevensville 23 (Mariah Hinson 9). Blocks – Stevensville 3 (Angel Richards 2). Digs – Stevensville 42 (Hinson 16). Assists – Stevensville 18 (Quinn Larson 18). Aces – Stevensville 6 (Hinson 3).