Spikers down C-Falls in three

Whitefish ends overall regular season 11-2, heads to divisionals in Ronan this weekend

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

A strong contingent of Bulldog faithful packed the Columbia Falls High School gym on Oct. 25 to cheer on the Whitefish spikers as they ended their regular season on a winning note.

The Lady Bulldogs defeated the Wildkats in three games, 25-16, 25-12 and 25-18. The victory moves the Whitefish to 8-2 in Northwestern A Conference action and 11-2 overall.

"I was really happy with the parents and students coming out last night," head coach Jackie Fuller said of the raucous Whitefish crowd. "They provided a lot of enthusiasm and support."

The Lady Bulldogs fed off the crowd, coming out strong in the first game, taking the lead early and never letting the Wildkats back in the game. It was senior night for Columbia Falls, and they were playing with high intensity as well.

The Wildkats played their best against Whitefish in the third game when they took the lead several times. In the end, however, several key blocks and kills by Brielle Menegazzi and others put the game away for Whitefish.

"It was the most emotion we have played with all year. It allowed us to grab the momentum," Fuller said. "And we need to play with that kind of emotion in order for us to succeed at state."

Senior Ashley Ferda once again shined for her team, leading Whitefish with 13 kills and 13 digs, several of which she combined on the same play.

Brielle Menegazzi totaled 10 kills, 13 digs and three aces on the night. Hailey Farmin had 22 of the team's 29 assists.

Fuller said she has seen a ton of improvement from her players throughout the course of the season.

"Oh, they have taken leaps and bounds this year," she said. "They are really climbing the ladder."

The Lady Bulldogs will be the No. 2 seed heading into this weekend's divisional tournament in Ronan, and Fuller said she is optimistic about her squad's potential.

"We are right where we need to be come tournament time," she said.

Whitefish def. Columbia Falls

25-16, 25-12, 25-18

Kills — Whitefish 32, Ashley Ferda 13, Brielle Menegazzi 10; Columbia Falls 19, Alyssa Ladenburg 7, Cedar Smith 4

Blocks — Whitefish 2; Columbia Falls 2, Smith 2

Assists — Whitefish 29, Hailey Farmin 22; Columbia Falls 16, Sarah Marcille 16

Digs — Whitefish 41, Ferda 13, Menegazzi 13; Columbia Falls 25, Staci Pence 9, Marcille 7

Aces — Whitefish 13, McCara Cullen 3, Menegazzi 3; Columbia Falls 5, Sam Ladenburg 2, Michelle Murphy 2.