Kat spikers post 6-4 mark in WF tourney

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

Columbia Falls started the 2008 high school varsity volleyball season in a solid fashion, winning six of 10 games in the Whitefish Season Starter Tournament last Saturday.

The Wildkats swept Park High (Livingston) and Browning, and split with Flathead Valley Home School and Whitefish. CFHS was swept by Libby. Each match featured two games to 25 points.

CFHS opened the tourney with a 25-21 loss to Flathead Valley Home School, but bounced back to win the second game, 25-18. Then the Kats won four more games, sweeping Park, 25-20, 25-15 and Browning, 25-18, 25-12. Libby took two from the Kats, 25-14, 25-20. CFHS capped the tourney by splitting with host Whitefish. The Kats won the first game, 25-21, but the Bulldogs took the second set, 25-18.

Parity was the name of the game during the tournament, as none of the 11 teams won more than seven of their 10 games.

"It was a little rough getting started," CFHS coach Addy Hines said of the first game against Flathead Valley Home School on Saturday morning. "The second game we started looking like the Wildkat girls."

Communication was a barrier in the early going, according to Hines, as the offense was working with a new setter. But that aspect improved as the day went on.

Sharing setting chores for the Kats were Cassidee Skiles, Amanda Milliard and Cedar Smith.

"Our passing did improve as we got used to the people next to us," Hines said.

The coach spoke about playing conference foes Libby and Whitefish in the tourney.

"Libby and Whitefish always seem to be a mental challenge for us," Hines said, "but we match up better than we have in past years. It's a matter of confidence and stopping runs (by opponents)."

Hines was pleased with the cohesiveness that development during the tourney games.

"Everybody played really well as a team," she said, with several players in new positions.

"I'm pleased with it," Hines said of the Kats' overall play. "I'm very excited to see where the rest of the season takes us."

The Kats open the Northwest A Conference season by hosting Polson on Saturday — a young Pirates team with no seniors. The freshman match starts at 3 p.m., followed by the junior varsity and varsity matches.

CFHS golfers tee off at Ronan Invitational

With the graduation of Wildcat golfer Micah Jam, the 2008 Columbia Falls High School golf season starts without at least one returning state competitor for the first time in several years. However, the 2007 team had 15 freshmen and sophomores, and combined with a few older newcomers this year's team should be solid as it competes in the tough Northwest A Conference, head coach Gene Marcille said.

Junior Tanner Lineberry should lead the boys team while junior Kelsey DeWit returns for her third season on the links for the girls. Sophomores Olivia Williams and Courtney Tamburelli showed strong improvement throughout their freshmen seasons, according to Marcille.

They now understand the work it takes to make it to the state tournament, which will be played at the Polson Bay Golf Club Oct. 10 and 11, Marcille said.

For the Cat boys, Taylor Hopkins, Jordan Mueller and Nick Ross return with substantial varsity experience, while seniors Jake Haverkorn, Jake Ronish, Nolan Emerson and Tanner Barth are already showing great promise to compete for the five varsity tournament slots.

Coaches Marcille and Dan Frankino, who begin their 20th and 15th seasons respectively coaching in the CFHS golf program, see the Northwest A Conference as the most competitive in the state. Whitefish is the perennial team to beat, though the Polson girls are rapidly emerging as a steady contender.

"We're off to a good start," Marcille said. "We had over 30 kids come out for the tryouts, and we're excited about a few new kids who will compete right off the bat."

Marcille indicated the boys team is set for the season, but there are still a few available slots for girls who might be interested in trying a new sport. Anyone with questions regarding the Columbia Falls High School golf program should contact Marcille at 892-3164 or at the high school, 892-6500.

The team starts the season today (Thursday) with a tournament in Ronan. CFHS hosts a junior varsity tournament Thursday, Sept. 11 at Glacier View Golf Club in West Glacier. A varsity tourney is set for Tuesday, Sept. 16 at Meadow Lake Golf Club.