Crosstown I, Volleyball Edition is set for Thursday.

Glacier and Flathead go into their match at Flathead High one game apart in the Western AA standings. But even if they weren’t, you could bank on an intense, tight match. 

“That’s what I just told the girls today,” said Glacier coach Christy Harkins, whose club sits third in the Western AA at 4-2 (5-7 overall). “I think there’s a lot of parity in the conference this year. I’ve seen every team in the conference play a little inconsistently at times. Tomorrow night’s going to be about who plays with energy and plays the hardest.” 

Flathead, 3-3 in league and 4-9 overall, boasts Emma Eve in the middle; she and Kendal Kratofil are two of the Western AA’s best in the service game. 

“I feel like every Flathead attacker is aggressive,” Harkins said. “When I’ve watched them play live and when I watch film, they all attack extremely aggressively. They’re all good.” 

Bravettes coach Emily Russell acknowledges a lot of offense goes through Eve, and that her team’s depth is a plus. 

“Emma is definitely one of our go-to hitters. She has been really efficient the last couple days, and she’s very aggressive about where she wants the ball to go,” Russell said. “She’s up there in points, with blocks and aces as well, which is good to see from a middle blocker. 

“What I will say is our team has been playing a lot of different positions. I feel like wherever the girls end up they do a great job and take care of the ball.” 

Glacier can counteract the hitting with its trio of top back-liners: Kennedy Moore, Cassidy Daniels and Olivia Anderson are among the state’s leaders in passing; Daniels and Moore keep the ball off the floor, and Daniels is an aces leader. 

Like Flathead, Glacier has a top middle blocker in Mali (pronounced Molly) Carroll. 

“They definitely very tough at defending and passing,” Russell said of the Pack. “We’re very good in the serve game and attacking. So it should be a great matchup. 

We’re excited for tomorrow.”