Libby swats Lady Bulldogs in three games
Matt Baldwin / Whitefish Pilot Jessica Slaybaugh and Olivia Nagler jump to block a shot against Libby on Thursday.
The Whitefish volleyball team dropped a quick three games to Libby on Thursday, losing to the Lady Loggers 3-0 in a conference match.
Libby's Jackie Mee dominated the net as she tallied 14 kills and four aces to lead the Loggers in the 25-21, 25-20, 25-18 victory.
Kaitlyn Wehrli scored six kills and 20 digs for the Lady Bulldogs, while Jessica Slaybaugh had nine assists.
Despite the sweep, the match was much closer than the score.
In the second game, Whitefish jumped out to an early 12-11 lead when junior Heather Bailey made an impressive block against Libby's big front line.
The teams traded points to a 19-19 tie before Libby pulled ahead for the win with an ace by Logan Best and a few errant hits by the Lady Bulldogs.
In the final set, Whitefish showed a lot of heart by storming back from a 9-22 deficit.
Libby's Mee hit three consecutive aces and the Lady Loggers looked poised to leave with an easy win.
Yet, Whitefish didn't let up.
Olivia Nagler responded with an ace of her own and the rally attempt was on.
With a rowdy crowd cheering, "It's not over yet," Whitefish's Bailey spiked a point to bring the score to 16-23.
The Lady Bulldogs tacked on another two points, but the comeback fell just short, 18-25.
Whitefish next plays Ronan at home on Sept. 24.
Kills — Libby 32, Jackie Mee 14; Whitefish 17, Kaitlyn Wehrli 6; Blocks — Libby 1, Evi Cernick; Whitefish 4, Heather Bailey 2; Assists — Libby 28, Cernick 24; Whitefish 14, Jessica Slaybaugh 9; Digs — Libby 37, Alysha Martin 10; Whitefish 49, Wehrli 20; Aces — Libby 12, Mee 4; Whitefish 9, Bailey 3.
JV volleyball
The Whitefish junior varsity volleyball team defeated Libby in three games on Sept. 17, 25-18, 25-21, 15-10. The Lady Bulldogs came out strong and kept the lead most of the match.
Abby Strellnauer's serves were unstoppable. She ended the match with seven aces. Taylor Havens set very well and had 13 assists. Kelsey McFadden led in kills with six.
Defensively, the girls passed very well. The team had 61 digs, with Lindsey Viscomi and Ryan Chauner adding 11 each.
The JV team traveled to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, for their first tournament on Sept. 19. After a rocky start, losing to Bonners Ferry in two games, the team turned it around and beat Timberlake in two games.
The Lady Bulldogs fought hard, but lost to Lakeland in three games, and did not advance to the semi-finals. The girls worked hard, many in new positions.
Havens did a great job leading the team as setter. Jessica Poe stepped up offensively and led in kills for the day. Ryan Chauner started a new position as libero and passed very well, with 37 total digs.
Freshman volleyball
After a slow start, the Lady Bulldogs freshman volleyball squad posted a four-game win against Libby. Brooke Silliker led the team with seven of the team's 14 aces. Silliker also led the team defensively with 13 digs. Melissa Poe had a strong showing at the net with four of the team's 10 kills.