Whitefish stops Eureka 3-1 in Northwestern A title match

The Daily Inter Lake

In a pinch, Whitefish just seems to have a knack for coming through.

The Bulldogs and Eureka were deadlocked in a memorable court battle for the Northwestern A divisional volleyball title Saturday afternoon at the WHS gym.

Whitefish won the first game while Eureka stormed right back to win the second.

Eureka was on the verge, leading 18-13, of taking a 2-1 game lead and trying to hand the Bulldogs their first home loss since the 2003 campaign.

But in typical Whitefish fashion, the Bulldogs regrouped and retaliated.

The Bulldogs pulled out a 26-24 win in the critical third game and then put the issue to rest by winning game 4 25-19 to defend its divisional title.

"Very typical of this group," said Whitefish coach Jackie Fuller.

"I don't get too worried (when we get behind). They just seem to gather themselves very well. Once people like Courtney Ferda and Kali Schmidt get that look that everything is OK, they keep driving. (That's when) I know we're in good shape."

Whitefish (18-2) made it look way too easy in the beginning, jumping out to a 6-0 lead and cruising to a 25-15 win in the first game.

Eureka, which beat Libby 3-1 earlier in the day to advance to the title match, just never got into a rhythm.

However that all changed in the second game. The Lions took advantage of several serving snafus by Whitefish to lead early and claim a 25-16 victory.

"We did things (in that game) that were very uncharacteristic of Whitefish volleyball," said Fuller.

"We had eight, nine serving errors.We pride ourselves in passing and we didn't do that."

That irregular play carried over to game 3, which saw Eureka building momentum and leading before Whitefish decided to strike back.

"Yea, at the time (I was a little worried), but I knew we could do it," said Whitefish senior Kaitlin O'Leary.

"We're the type of team that when it gets tough, we know we can get through it. That was just another example of working hard, sticking together."

Whitefish capitalized on a serving receive error by Eureka to tie the match at 23-all. It was tied again at 24.

Whitefish then picked up the final two points for the win in a very emotionally charged game.

"Just by winning that one, it picked us up," said Fuller.

"Gave us some confidence."

It was a disappointing way to end the game for the Lions.

"A team like Whitefish is so good you don't want to give them any more chances (than you have too)," said Eureka coach Rhonda Hammond.

"We're disappointed (to finish second) as our goal is to win at every level. But we're glad we're going to state."

Hammond said Melanie Finch stepped up big time for the Lions.

"She played with so much heart and desire," Hammond said.

"She took it to a new level today."

Finch led Eureka in digs with 11.

Eureka's Amy Roberts finished with seven of her team's 14 aces and had 21 kills. The Lions finished with 33 kills.

Briann Linell had 10 stuff blocks.

For Whitefish, Courtney Ferda had 14 kills and Ashley Ferda 11. Whitefish totaled 35.

Ashley Ferda led in digs with 18 while Kellie Kalbfleisch and O'Leary both had three aces. O'Leary also finished with three stuff blocks.

"We knew we could do it from the beginning," O'Leary said.

"We're all best friends, we all hang out, we all know each other really, really well. It was fun, definitely fun."

Up next for Whitefish is state tournament play starting Thursday in Bozeman. The Bulldogs have been a state participant every season since 1998 and are two-time defending state champions.

Eureka was a state runner-up last year in Class B.

Whitefish will play the No. 2 seed from Southwestern A in Bozeman in the opening round at 10 a.m.

Eureka will face the No. 1 seed from Southwestern A at 4 p.m. The winners from those matches play again Thursday at 6 and 8 p.m, respectively.

"What a great atmosphere," said Fuller of the divisional.

"To pack it (bleachers) both days. People appreciate the game."

Championship

Whitefish def. Eureka 25-15, 16-25, 26-24, 25-19

Kills - Whitefish 35 (Courtney Ferda 14, Ashley Ferda 11), Eureka 33 (Amy Roberts 21); Blocks - Whitefish 12 (Brielle Menegazzi 3, Kaitlin O'Leary 3), Eureka 24 (Briann Linnell 10); Digs - Whitefi sh 46 (Ashley Ferda 18, Courtney Ferda 6, Kellie Kalbfleisch 6), Eureka 40 (Melanie Finch 11); Assists - Whitefish 27 (Kali Schmidt 27), Eureka 31 (Megan Hannay 28); Aces - Whitefish 12 (Kalbfleisch 3, O'Leary 3), Eureka 14 (Roberts 7).

Third Place

Eureka def. Libby 25-15, 18-25, 25-23, 25-23

Kills - Eureka 37 (Roberts 23), Libby 36 (Brooke Hageness 9, Karen Byrns 8, Laice Dedrick 8); Blocks - Eureka 23 (KaeDee Shay 8), Libby 2 (Byrns 1); Assists - Eureka 31 (Hannay 30), Libby 28 (Shelby Barton 25); Digs - Eureka 48 (Finch 18, Roberts 13), Libby 40 (Hageness 11, Dedrick 10, Megan Wedel 9); Aces - Eureka 12 (Roberts 7), Libby 9 (Barton 4, Hageness 3)