When the Battle of the Kootenai trophy is at stake, nothing can be taken for granted.

Entering Monday evening’s home match the Libby Loggers volleyball team was 1-9-2 while Eureka stood at 5-3.

The Loggers lone win prior to Monday was a 2-1 triumph over Butte Central Catholic Aug. 29 at the Dillon Tip-off Tournament.

Against five opponents between wins, Libby lost 15 of 16 sets.

But Monday, with the schools at a standstill for the trophy and bragging rights, the Loggers scored a big, five-set triumph to get a leg up on their northern Lincoln County rivals in getting the trophy back in Libby.

Head coach Angie Houston’s Loggers fell behind 4-1, but the deficit didn’t last long as Libby roared back to go up two, 10-8.

When it reached 13-9, Eureka called timeout, but it didn’t matter.

Freshman Charlotte Sherbo took the serve and scored eight straight points as the Libby home fans showed their appreciation with deafening cheers.

After an attempted kill shot went long, Libby quickly regained the serve and junior Alyssa Andersen scored the final four points for a 25-10 win. Senior Rylee Delmas added a big spike in the final run to help the Loggers.

In the second set, Eureka again took an early lead, 5-2. But the Loggers were undaunted and forged a 11-11 tie. There were multiple tie scores as the teams traded rallies before the Loggers surged ahead by three points, 19-16. That drew another Eureka timeout, but the Loggers built their lead to four points three different times in the waning moments. Senior Maddie Willis and Andersen each had big kills as the score became 22-18.

But Eureka didn’t quit either and drew even at 23-23 and 24-24. It was not to be though as the Lady Lions scored the final two points.

Fortunately, the Loggers had more answers as they took two of the next three sets to win in five.

Libby is back in action Saturday at Ronan.

Libby senior Maddie Willis (9) blocks a shot against Eureka in a Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, match. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

    Libby senior Leah Rusdal (7) worked with teammate Alyssa Anderson (5) to block a shot against Eureka in a Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, match. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)