Kats go 2-1 on the week, qualify for divisionals

Columbia Falls Wildkat volleyball had a mixed week, though they qualified for the postseason.  They lost their final regular season conference game to the Bigfork Valkryies but managed to secure their Western A Divisional seeding by defeating both the Browning Indians and Ronan Maidens.

Last Tuesday, the Kats wouldn’t make it easy for Bigfork over the course of three sets.  However, the Valkryies ultimately took the contest with scores of 27-25, 25-17, and 27-25.     

Columbia Falls would have 33 kills on the night compared to 37 for Bigfork.  Annabelle Middlesworth led the power at the net with 9 kills, followed by Rylee Sweeney who added 8, Peyton Ross with 6, and Jezanie Brooks would have 4.  Brooks concluded her night with 24 of the 30 assists, while Bigfork ended with a total of 33.

Sweeney would lead her team in blocks, securing three of the four, while the Valkryies would collectively have nine.  

Aces were neck-and -neck for both teams with the Kats 7 and the Valkryies 8.  Kamryn Ladenburg and Scout Nelson each had 2.  Columbia Falls would secure the highest number of digs with 79, while Bigfork would conclude with 73.  Ava Scholz accumulated an impressive amount totaling 27, while Audry Childers achieved 12.

Thursday night, they’d face off against the Browning and take the Indians in three 25-9, 25-8 and 25-10.  

Brooks once again led her team in assists with 23 of the 29.  She’s also had 4 aces and 6 digs.

Sweeney would secure 11 of the 31 kills, while Ross would have 8, and Middlesworth would have 5.  Ross would also have 1 block and 6 digs, and Middlesworth concluded with 3 aces.

Against Ronan on Saturday, the Kats would make easy work of it in three sets with scores of 25-19, 25-15 and 25-18.

Brooks controlled assists with 37 of 39.  Scholz added more digs to her season’s total with 16 of the 43, along with 4 aces.  Ross contributed 10 digs of her own as well as 12 kills.  Middlesworth added 8 kills and 1 block, while Ladenburg had 6 blocks.  Patton also had 5 kills and 1 block.

“We tried to use these games a opportunities to work on in-game scenarios that may come up,” said head coach Jolandie Brooks.

The Kats will travel to Hamilton for the Western A Divisional tournament where they will meet up with the No. 1 seed out of the Southwest Conference Dillon on Thursday.  Game time is 4 p.m.

“As we prepare for divisionals, we’ll start by watching a lot of film and then use our JV team as our scout team to help us prepare.  We’ll focus on fine-tuning the little things, building-confidence, and making sure we’re ready to compete,” said Brooks.