The Wildkats volleyball team punched it’s ticket to the Class A Western Divisional Tournament this weekend as Columbia Falls went 2-1 to finish third at the Northwest A District Tournament.

The Kats opened the tournament with a tough five-set loss to Whitefish on Friday before bouncing back with wins over Ronan and Polson on Saturday to finish third.

Ryley Kehr had 17 kills and Madysen Hoerner added 11 Friday as the Kats fell in a close matchup with Whitefish, 18-25, 25-19, 25-27, 25-19, 11-15. Hannah Schweikert recorded 28 of the Kats’ 33 assists while Kehr had three of the team’s seven aces.

Defensively, the Kats were led by Angellica Street’s 37 digs while Hoerner added 16. Kehr had five of the team’s 13 blocks while Kiera Brown added three.

The Kats bounced back with a sweep of Ronan in their first game Saturday, downing the Maidens 25-15, 25-15, 25-9.

Kehr had 12 kills and two blocks to lead the way while Schweikert had 19 assists and two aces, Street added 17 digs and Lauren Faulkner had two aces.

It was again all Wildkats in the third-place game as C-Falls blew past Polson in three sets, 25-16, 25-10, 25-14.

The Kats will open the divisional tournament in Whitefish Thursday as they take on Stevensville at noon. With a win, the Kats would play again at 6 p.m., with a loss, they would play Friday at 10 a.m.