Lady Dogs on a roll heading toward playoffs
Whitefish volleyball is looking for a strong final week of play before the District Tournament next week.
The Lady Dogs on Thursday took down Columbia Falls 3-1 in the Wildkats’ home court.
Cailyn Ross tallied 17 of the team’s 45 kills, as well as four blocks. Becca Catina led the team with 28 assists and Serena Hemmingson racked up 35 digs to lead the team.
Whitefish won in sets of 18-25, 25-21, 25-15 and 25-17.
“We took care of business there, started of a little slow but we got it back together and started playing our game,” head coach Addy Connelly said.
Whitefish also traveled down to Butte for the Blockbuster Tournament to take on teams from across the state.
The team made it into the championship bracket, but lost out in consolation matches, Connelly said.
Connelly said the wear and tear of a long season started to show in Butte.
“It’s just this time of year, there’s high expectations for the girls and long days of playing takes a toll on their bodies,” she said. “We know what we’re up against now when we get to state, so it’s a nice opportunity to get to see folks from east of the mountains.”
On Thursday and Friday they’ll head down to Missoula for the Missoula County Public Schools tournament, and then postseason play begins Oct. 27 with the Northwest A District Tournament in Browning.
Whitefish also hosted Ronan Tuesday after presstime for a conference matchup as well as the team’s Senior Night.
Seniors on this year’s team are Ross, Catina, Hemmingson and Anissa Brown.
“We look for our seniors a lot for leadership and guidance — it’s expected that they’re the first ones doing something. They’re leading by example of what they want the rest of their team to be performing like,” Connelly said prior to Tuesday’s match. “Tomorrow will be an emotional day with Senior Night, so the girls getting out there taking care of business when emotions are running high will give us a good gauge for how things will be in divisionals and state.”
Whitefish def. Columbia Falls 18-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-17
Kills — Whitefish 45 (Cailyn Ross 17, Annisa Brown 9, Lauren Schulz 8), Columbia Falls 32 (Ryley Kehr 9, Stella Bistodeau 9); Blocks — Whitefish 9 (Ross 4), Columbia Falls 13 (Kiera Brown 6, Bistodeau 5); Assists — Whitefish 39 (Becca Catina 28), Columbia Falls 26 (Hannah Schweikert 25); Digs — Whitefish 91 (Serena Hemmingson 35, Brown 17), Columbia Falls 79 (Angellica Street 16, Trista Coway 15); Aces — Whitefish 4 (four with 1), Columbia Falls 6 (Street 3, Kehr 2).