Kats win at home, split on the road

The Columbia Falls volleyball team went 2-1 on the week. They drubbed Polson at home on Oct. 1, in three games, 25-13, 25-8, 25-22.

But the Wildkats split the bill on their southern road trip, Oct. 5, downing Hamilton, 25-19, 25-15, 15-25, 25-18 but losing to Corvallis in straight sets, 25-9, 25-20, 25-15.

Against the Lady Pirates, the Kats dominated the net as the girls had 29 total kills — seven apiece from Carla Nicosia, Winter Kemppainen and Haley Belgarde. They also had 12 service aces.

Hamilton took Columbia Falls to four games, but the Kats prevailed at the net, with 10 blocks to the Lady Broncs’ two.

Against Corvallis, the Kats couldn’t stop Joanna Avery. She had 15 kills on her own, and the Blue Devils had a whopping 48 total kills.

The Kats travel to Libby on Thursday and are home against Frenchtown on Saturday. The freshmen start at 1 p.m.

Columbia Falls is now 5-4 overall, 3-1 in conference play.

Columbia Falls def. Polson, 25-13, 25-8, 25-22.

Kills – Polson 19 (Chloie Huerta 5), Columbia Falls 29 (Carla Nicosia 7, Winter Kemppainen 7, Haley Belgarde 7). Assists – Polson 16 (Jessica Bagnell 8), Columbia Falls 24 (Cydney Finberg 13). Blocks – Polson 6 (Kaelen Wall 2, Kaelyn Binder 2), Columbia Falls 9 (Kemppainen 5). Digs – Polson 45 (Bagnell 11), Columbia Falls 32 (Shaylene Fishel 9). Aces – Polson 5 (Taylor Davis 2), Columbia Falls 12 (Cydney Finberg 4, Kemppainen 4).

Columbia Falls def. Hamilton 25-19, 25-15, 15-25, 25-18

Kills – Hamilton 33 (Penny Gywnn 14), Columbia Falls 27 (Haley Belgarde 7). Blocks – Hamilton 2 (Makayla Horvath, Ellie Hurbert), Columbia Falls 10 (Cydney Finberg 3, Carla Nicosia 3, Winter Kemppainen 3). Assists – Hamilton 31 (Horvath 27), Columbia Falls 21 (Taylir Fairbank 10). Digs – Hamilton 48 (Shannon Casale 12), Columbia Falls 37 (Belgarde 10). Aces – Hamilton 6 (Gwynn 2, Casale 2), Columbia Falls 11 (Tiffany Hummer 4).

Corvallis def. Columbia Falls 25-9, 25-20, 25-15

Kills – Corvallis 48 (Joanna Avery 15), Columbia Falls 20 (Ciera Finberg 5, Winter Kemppainen 5, Haley Belgarde 5). Blocks – Corvallis 3 (Avery 3), Columbia Falls 2 (Kemppainen 2). Assists – Corvallis 43 (Alex Price 31), Columbia Falls 18 (Taylir Fairbank 9). Digs – Corvallis 60 (Katie Patterson 18), Columbia Falls 31 (Shaylene Fishel 11). Aces – Corvallis 9 (Chantel Jessop 5), Columbia Falls 2 (Fairbank, Belgarde).