The Florence Lady Falcons will be making their seventh straight trip to the Class B state volleyball tournament this week. And, this will be their seventh straight time as the Western B champion. They will open their state tournament play against Joliet, the No. 3 seed from the South, at noon on Thursday in Bozeman at the Brick Breeden Field House.
Florence did not have an easy time against Thompson Falls. The Lady Falcons actually dropped their first game of the match, something that hasn’t happened all season. The Lady Falcons came back to win the next two games but then lost the fourth. They rallied to win the match in the fifth game. Autumn Round’s 19 kills powered the team with Megan Kowalski right behind with 12 kills. The duo paired up for six blocks also.
Florence def. Thompson Falls, 20-25, 25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 15-10
Kills – T. Falls 46, Florence 57 (Autumn Round 19, Megan Kowalski 12). Blocks – T. Falls 18, Florence 13 (Round 3, Kowalski 3). Digs – T. Falls 76, Florence 49 (Hunter Doty-DiBrito 14). Assists – T. Falls 41, Florence 52 (Shay Waldbillig 47). Aces – T. Falls 5, Florence 10 (Hudsyn Doty-DiBrito 3).
Florence also played Thompson Falls in their opening game of the tournament, 25-14, 16-25 27-25, 25-21.
After defeating Thompson Falls the first time, the Lady Falcons moved on to play Eureka. It was round again that led the charge with 18 kills. Kowalski had four blocks in the win.
Florence def. Eureka 25-19, 23-25, 25-19, 20-25, 15-8.
Kills – Florence 50 (Round 18), Eureka 44. Blocks – Florence 11 (Kowalski 4), Eureka 8. Digs – Flounce 31 (Hunter Doty-DiBrito 6, Brooklyn Little 6), Eureka 43. Assists – Florence 50 (Waldbillig 47), Eureka 43. Aces – Florence 6 (Shannon Byrne 4), Eureka 6.
Then it was on to the semi finals where the Lady Falcons went up against Bigfork who upset Libby to advance. The Lady Falcons took the match in three games behind the play of Kowalski and Waldbillig.
Florence def. Bigfork 25-12, 25-18, 25-23.
Kills – Florence 26 (Kowalski 16), Blocks – Florence 3 (Round 3), Digs – Florence 24 (Waldbillig 13), Assists – Florence Waldbillig 33), Aces – Florence 3 (Kowalski 3).