Despite losses, spikers are showing improvement

They didn't get the win, but they still played their hearts out.

The Columbia Falls girls volleyball team was shut down by the Polson Lady Pirates at home Sept. 15, 25-21, 25-20 and 28-26.

The Wildkats battled back in the third game. Down 19-14, they mounted a furious rally, including two kills from Taylor Peterson and one from Haley Belgarde, to make it 24-all.

The Kats kept it tied at 26 apiece, but Polson had a kill and then blocked a Columbia Falls shot to make it 28-26.

Peterson had five kills to lead the Kats. Jessie Gist and Belgarde had four apiece.

The Kats had a whopping 60 digs - 13 by Shaun Rowe, 10 by Erika Nelson and 10 by Peterson. Peterson also had two aces.

The girls also competed in the tournament in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, over the weekend, but results from that game were not available.

Columbia Falls coach Addy Connelly said the team needs to get mentally used to winning.

"Everyone is playing tough. We're just not coming out on the top end," she said. "We're definitely making progress."

The Kats won a couple of matches at Bonners Ferry, but no complete games, Connelly said.

The girls face Whitefish at home Saturday for homecoming. Freshmen start at 1 p.m., and the varsity start follows, about 5 p.m.

"We've got five days of practice to get ready for them," Connelly said.