Spikers drop a pair to Broncs, Blue Devils

The Columbia Falls volleyball team lost a couple of close matches to southern rivals Hamilton and Corvallis in dual action at home Oct. 20.

The Broncs beat the Wildkats 25-16, 22-25, 25-10, 25-18. In the nightcap, Corvallis edged Columbia Falls in five games, 24-26, 22-25, 25-19, 25-19, 20-18.

Jessie Gist had nine kills for the Kats against the Broncs, while Taylor Peterson and Gabrielle Stenger had 10 kills apiece against the Blue Devils.

Coach Addy Connelly said the team is progressing despite the losses.

"The girls finished three tight games," she said. "We're still heading in the right direction."

The Kats wrap up the regular season with an away match against Frenchtown on Saturday. The girls beat Frenchtown earlier this season, so they'll try for another win to go into divisionals the following week with some momentum.

Hamilton 3, Columbia Falls 1

Kills - Hamilton 44 (Rebecka Hood 10, Nichole Hood 10), Columbia Falls 30 (Jessie Gist 9, Gabrielle Stenger 7, Taylor Peterson 7); Blocks - Hamilton 4 (Rebecca Lyons 2, N. Hood 2), Columbia Falls 4 (NA); Assists - Hamilton 38 (Mary Conwell 35), Columbia Falls 22 (Hope Burlage 12, Erica Nelson 9); Digs - Hamilton 54 (Kennedy Chadwick 14), Columbia Falls 60 (Shaun Rowe 19); Aces - Hamilton 10 (Conwell 4), Columbia Falls 3 (Burlage 2).

Corvallis 3 Columbia Falls 2

Kills - Corvallis 58 (Whitney Jessop 22, Brooke Heckeroth 14), Columbia Falls 44 (Peterson 10, Stenger 10); Blocks - Corvallis 5 (Heckeroth 3), Columbia Falls 12 (Peterson 5); Assists - Corvallis 47 (Laura Berner 24, Alex Price 23), Columbia Falls 34 (Nelson 18, Burlage 11); Digs - Corvallis 102 (Katie Patterson 29, Berner 25), Columbia Falls 114 (Rowe 39, Jaylynn Cantu 21); Aces - Corvallis 7 (Berner 5), Columbia Falls 12 (Nelson 3).