LIBBY — If the Polson volleyball team was Superman, than Libby might be its kryptonite.

After beating Libby twice in the regular season, the Pirates dropped two of three games to the Loggers at the Northwestern A divisional tournament. Overall, the Pirates are 3-2 against the Loggers.

Libby took first and Polson took second, earning berths to the Class A volleyball state tournament this weekend in Bozeman.

“We played an amazing tournament,” head coach Jan Toth said.

The Pirates opened the tournament with a three-set win against Columbia Falls, 25-15, 26-24, 25-15.

Senior outside hitter Nicole Davey had 15 kills and junior outside hitter Breanne Kelley had 11 kills.

The Pirates moved on to face Libby with the winner automatically earning a trip to state.

With four close sets, Polson took their first loss of the season, 25-21, 24-26, 24-26, 25-27.

Eleven missed serves contributed to the tough game for Polson. Davey came with 21 kills and junior setter Kayla Duford had 42 assists.

“It was the mental part of the game that got us,” Toth said.

The team entered the locker room after the game and the seniors reminded the team of it’s motto: Polson never does things the easy way.

“They had a job to do and took care of it,” Toth said.

The Pirates went on to the loser-takes-third place game against Columbia Falls.

There were two outcomes for this game: ending the season or a trip to the state tournament.

Polson rose to the occasion and won in three sets 25-20, 25-20, 25-11.

“We stuck to the basics,” Toth said. “They want a state title.”

Duford put out 29 assists and senior libero Staci Benson had 25 digs.

With the win, for the second year in a row, Polson earned a trip to the state tournament.

The only thing left to be determined is what seeds Polson and Libby would enter the tournament. In order to take the first seed, Polson would have had to beat Libby twice.

With no food in their stomachs and jello-like legs, Polson found the energy to take on Libby.

The first championship game showed Polson’s determination as the Pirates won in five, 18-25, 25-19, 16-25, 25-20, 16-14.

In the fifth set, Polson was down 8-13 and “gutted it out to win,” Toth said.

Twenty minutes later, the team had to face Libby again in the second championship. Polson lost in four 24-26, 25-10, 22-25, 24-26.

The Pirates felt the effects of the tough games on Monday, as many reported sore shoulders and lower backs.

Now, the focus is on the state tournament.

Polson is excited and ready for the challenge.

“They’re not satisfied by just going to state,” Toth said. “This year they have their minds on a title.”

Since the team has been to the big show before, nerves won’t run as wild as last year. The loud atmosphere and different flooring won’t be as scary. The Pirates aren’t doing anything different  to prepare mentally for the tournament.

“It’s kind of like beating a dead horse,” Toth said. “We’ve talked about it and talked about it.”

With large upsets in other divisional tournaments, the field is wide open, Toth said. Polson’s strength will lie in its depth of talent.

Off the bench, sophomore Riley Kenney can play any position and freshman Mackenzie Banner is a talented back row player.

“My outsides can play inside and vice versa,” Toth said.

Polson will open the state tournament today at 10 a.m. against Anaconda, the first seed out of the southwest.

“They have a lot of talented athletes that can do different things with the ball,” Toth said. “But so do we.”

When Polson faced Anaconda earlier this year, the teams split games. The opening match won’t be a test of physical strength, Toth said, but a mental game.

“[Anaconda] doesn’t like to lose,” Toth said. “But neither do we.”