Bigfork, Polson win twice at Western A volleyball

HAMILTON — All hail the Northwest A.

Raegen Waller and Somer Campos combined for 19 kills against Corvallis, then for 25 more as Bigfork Valkyries followed a three-set sweep of the Blue Devils with a four-set win over Frenchtown Thursday at the Western A Divisional volleyball tournament. 

The wins, their 27th and 28th this season, put the Valkyries into Friday’s 6 p.m. semifinal against Polson, which beat Columbia Falls in three sets in Thursday’s nightcap.  

Both teams have qualified for the State A tournament next week in Bozeman as well; the top four places advance.  

While Whitefish dropped its opening match to Frenchtown, the Northwest A had an excellent day: Five wins in six matches, including the Polson-Columbia Falls pairing.  

Waller had 11 kills, 13 digs and three aces against Corvallis; Payton DeSpain had 33 assists and a block; Kenley Wheeler had 17 digs. Campos had eight kills, while Bigfork had a total of 40 against the Blue Devils. 

Campos turned around and pounded out 16 kills against Frenchtown in a 25-18, 25-20, 16-25, 26-24 win. The matched with an ace by Emily Wisman, her third of the match. 

DeSpain also had three aces to go with 30 assists; Waller had nine kills and 28 digs. Sophia Lowell had six kills and 18 digs; Kenley Wheeler had 19 digs. Lillie Suffia checked in with eight kills and two blocks. 

Western A Divisional 

Nov. 5-7, Hamilton High School 

(4 teams advance to State) 

Thursday, Nov. 5

Match 1: Frenchtown def. Whitefish 18-25, 25-23, 25-12, 25-13 

Match 2: Bigfork def. Corvallis 25-8, 25-13, 25-17 

Match 3: Polson def. Hamilton 25-14, 25-18, 22-25, 25-20 

Match 4: Columbia Falls def. Dillon 20-25, 25-23, 25-13, 25-14 

Match 5: Bigfork def. Frenchtown 25-18, 25-20, 16-25, 26-24 

Match 6: Polson def. Columbia Falls 25-18, 25-23, 25-18 

Friday, Nov. 6

Match 7: Whitefish vs. Corvallis, 10 a.m. 

Match 8: Hamilton vs. Dillon, noon 

Match 9: Winner 7 vs. Columbia Falls, 2 p.m. 

Match 10: Frenchtown vs. Winner 8, 4 p.m. 

Match 11: Bigfork vs. Polson, semifinal, 6 p.m. 

Match 12: Winner 9 vs. Winner 10, loser fourth, 8 p.m. 

Saturday, Nov. 7

Match 13: Winner 12 vs. Loser 11, third place, 10 a.m. 

Match 14: Winner 13 vs. Winner 11, championships, noon 

Match 15: If necessary, 2 p.m.