Bulldogs slam home another title

Photos and story by SAM KAUFMAN

For the Pilot

If Whitefish High's volleyball team could merely play to its capabilities, the rest would surely fall into place, Bulldogs coach Jackie Fuller thought before last week's Class A state tournament at Bozeman.

The Bulldogs more than met their coach's expectations with a dominant showing capped by a sweep of Havre Saturday afternoon for back-to-back state championships. Whitefish swept three of four opponents and lost just a single game against Anaconda in posting a spotless 4-0 overall mark.

"I had been down to Havre before and seen them play," Fuller said of Whitefish's title match opponent. "But at this point, we had to focus more on us and play the kind of volleyball we're capable of."

The Bulldogs definitely brought their "A" game to the championship match. After two fairly narrow games, Whitefish exploded for a solid third game performance en route to a 25-20, 25-21, 25-12 championship win.

Perhaps it was no surprise that senior Tracy Schwada blasted the match-ending kill which left Whitefish at 23-1 on the season. It seemed a fitting way for Schwada to cap a fine prep career. Mandy McFadden fed Schwada with a perfect set, and the senior hitter rapped a spike that Havre couldn't handle. Then, the celebration began.

"I told Mandy I wanted the ball, and when it hit the court it felt so cool," Schwada said of her final kill. "I've been with these guys two years and we love each other so much. To win with this group in the final state match couldn't have been any better."

Whitefish kicked off the tourney with consecutive wins Thursday. The Bulldogs opened with a 25-15, 25-17, 25-17 sweep of Lewistown and defeated Anaconda in four games later that night.

Lewistown had defeated Whitefish in the 2003 title match, but the Bulldogs exacted revenge in 2004 with a thrilling five-game win. Last Thursday's match wasn't as close. Ashley Ferda turned in a solid overall effort, slamming 15 of Whitefish's 37 kills and recording 26 digs.

Schwada was also tough at the net with five blocks, and McFadden finished with 34 assists. Conners' serving also played a pivotal role. The Whitefish senior served up five of the team's six aces. The easy win advanced Whitefish to a quarterfinals battle against a scrappy Anaconda team.

Anaconda pulled out a first-game win, but Whitefish regrouped for a 23-25, 25-15, 25-22, 25-17 victory. Fuller was pleased with Whitefish's ability to rally from a 1-0 deficit and regain control. Schwada and Ashley Ferda collected 11 and 10 kills, while Conners led the back-row showing with 28 digs. Senior Shalyn Aurand had three ace serves in the victory.

The only drama in Whitefish's semifinals match against Hardin on Friday came in the first game. But the Bulldogs pulled out a tight win and then cruised to a 26-24, 25-14, 25-9 sweep. Schwada, who belted a match-best 15 kills, slammed the game winner.

The Bulldogs also capitalized on solid hitting from both Ferdas, and McFadden finished with 37 assists. Schwada recorded five blocks, and Ashley Ferda notched 20 digs. Kirsten Blackburn led the Bulldogs with three aces.

The championship match began as a bit of a challenge for Whitefish. The Bulldogs rallied for a first-game win after trailing early and broke free late in the second game to grab control. With the game knotted at 20-all, Whitefish strung together a 5-1 run that gave them a commanding 2-0 lead and put the team in the driver's seat.

Whitefish senior Jessie Conners came to the service line with the Bulldogs up 22-21 and served out. Outside hitter Ashley Ferda — the team's leading hitter at state — pounded the game-winner, and the Bulldogs were off to the races.

Ferda led Whitefish's 44-kill attack with a dozen, while cousin Courtney Ferda finished with 10 and Schwada added nine more. Ashley Ferda, a sophomore, has seen nothing but state titles at Whitefish the past two seasons.

"This one was more special because we have so many seniors and they all stepped up," Ferda said. "It was really neat for them that they could go out on a high note. The senior group has been a great encouragement the past two years. They never get down on you if you make a mistake. I've loved playing with them, and it will be hard to let them go."

It was the senior leadership of McFadden, Conners and Schwada that bolstered the Bulldogs in the third game. Conners drilled some key kills and led the back-row effort with 17 digs, while McFadden dished off a match-best 41 assists.

Right after Schwada's match-ending kill, Whitefish's large crowd erupted with a silly string and toilet paper outburst before making its way onto the court. Players hugged and celebrated.

Just before preparing for a television interview, Fuller was doused by ice water from a cooler. It was a repeat effort from last season's state title, but it came a little later this time.

"They kind of faked me out," a soaking Fuller said.

It was Fuller's fourth state title—three with Whitefish and another at Shelby.

"I don't ever grade them or put one above the other," the Whitefish coach said. "Every state championship is a special one. But this group I said at the beginning of the season was a blessing because of its work ethic."