Lady 'Dogs blaze into tourney
The Lady Bulldog volleyball squad wrapped up the regular season on a tear with three wins over three quality opponents. Coach Jackie Fuller says momentum is on their side going into the divisional tournament.
“We’re right where we need to be,” Fuller said. “We’re healthy and playing well. We’ve worked really hard this season.”
Whitefish swept Corvallis and Hamilton last week, then followed with a convincing 3-1 at Libby on Oct. 29. Seniors Heather Bailey and Olivia Nagler led the team at Libby with 12 kills each. Bailey tallied 16 digs, Nagler added 15 assists and junior Taylor Havens put in four aces.
The squad finished the regular season 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the conference, good enough to grab the No. 2 seed in the tourney bracket. Fuller says the division is top heavy with each school having a legitimate chance at making state. Polson, though, went undefeated in the league this year and is the favorite.
“You have to give a hats off to Polson,” Fuller said. “They were the conference champs last year, but honestly, every team has an opportunity this season. We’re jam packed in there and the tourney marks a brand new season.”
To hang with Polson, the Lady Bulldogs will have to play at their best, Fuller noted. In the teams’ two meetings this season, Whitefish played the Pirates close and won a few games, although ultimately lost both matches.
Ronan and Libby are in contention, too, while a young Columbia Falls team will play the role of underdog. Only the top two teams make the state tourney.
“Everybody has hung with everybody this season,” Fuller said.
Whitefish’s biggest strength is the extraordinary level of energy they bring to the court every match. From the first serve to the final dig, the Lady ‘Dogs have showed a spirit unmatched by other squads.
“We have to come with a lot of energy,” Fuller said. “When we do that, we have fun and that’s when we’re successful.”
Defense will be a key to stopping opponents, especially Polson’s high-powered offense led by the star hitter Breanne Kelly.
“We need to focus in on our defense to stop attacks,” Fuller said. “Defense is going to win it for us.”
She pointed to the front line, which needs to put up some big blocks, and to the mid backs.
“We need Lindsey Viscomi and Kelsey McFadden to play at their best back there,” Fuller said.
Nagler leads the team in blocks with 26, followed closely by Brooke Silliker with 17 and Baylee Tveidt with 16. Madison Tveidt and Bailey have rounded up 291 digs together.
On offense, the seniors Bailey, Madison Tveidt and Nagler have accumulated 266 kills this season.
The divisional tourney starts Friday in Columbia Falls. Whitefish earned a bye in the first round and will face No. 3 seed Ronan on Friday in 1 p.m.