Spikers drop two conference matches

The Columbia Falls volleyball team dropped two conference matches last week to Polson and Libby.

On Oct. 6, they lost to the Lady Pirates in a five-game match, 25-18, 28-30, 22-25, 25-23, 15-7.

The Wildkats were led by Jessie Gist, who had 11 kills, and Hope Burlage, with 19 assists. Burlage also had eight kills against the Lady Loggers.

Shaun Rowe had 25 digs against Polson. The Cats won games two and three, but the Lady Pirates battled back to win a tight fourth game, 25-23, and then 15-7 in the fifth.

The Kats had a tougher time against the Lady Loggers in Libby on Oct. 8, losing 25-17, 25-16, 23-25, 25-23.

Coach Addy Connelly said the girls need to work on finishing.

"We need to relax and play the game and get the basics done," she said. "It doesn't always happen."

Still, just taking Polson deep was something new.

"We haven't taken Polson to five games in years," she said.

The girls face Stillwater Christian School at home Thursday and then travel to the Missoula Invitational this weekend.

C-Falls v. Polson

Kills - Columbia Falls 37 (Jessie Gist 11, Haley Belgarde 10), Polson 56 (Heidi Rausch 17, Riley Kenney 15). Assists - Columbia Falls 30 (Hope Burlage 19, Erika Nelson 11), Polson 49 (Shalaina Duford 46). Blocks - Columbia Falls 6 (Gist 2), Polson 7 (Kenzie Clay 5). Digs - Columbia Falls 93 (Shaun Rowe 25, Gabrielle Stenger 13, Jaylynn Cantu 13), Polson 98 (Duford 24, McKenzie Banner 19). Aces - Columbia Falls 11 (Nelson 3, Stenger 3), Polson 5 (Duford 2)

C-Falls v. Libby

Kills - Columbia Falls 31 (Hope Burlage 8, Haley Belgarde 7), Libby 37 (Lauren Wepprecht 10, Selinna Maefau 10). Blocks - Columbia Falls 5, Libby 3 (Maefau 3). Assists - Columbia Falls 26 (Burlage 15, Erika Nelson 10), Libby 34 (Hannah England 14, Lexie Hagness 13). Digs - Columbia Falls 78 (Shaun Roe 30), Libby 70 (Alyssa Walker 16, Chelsea Bowe 11). Aces - Columbia Falls 9 (Taylor Peterson 4, Nelson 2, Gabrielle Stenger 2) Libby 19 (Maefau 6, Bowe 5)