Volleyball team loses two in season openers

The Columbia Falls volleyball team opened its season last Saturday with two non-conference losses to Hamilton and Corvallis, Aug. 27.

The Wildkats lost to Hamilton in straight games, 25-15, 25-14, 25-15. They then lost to the Blue Devils in a much closer match, 26-24, 25-23 and 25-18.

Against the Broncs, Gabrielle Stenger and Shaun Rowe both had four kills and Haley Belgarde had three blocks.

Belgarde had five kills against the Blue Devils and three blocks.

Rowe served four aces in the loss.

The girls face Whitefish away Thursday and Libby at home Saturday. Freshmen matches start at 4:15 p.m. at Whitefish and 1 p.m. against Libby.

Whitefish also lost both its games in the southern tourney.

Hamilton def. Columbia Falls, 25-15, 25-14, 25-15.

Kills - Columbia Falls 13 (Gabrielle Stenger 4, Shaun Rowe 4), Hamilton 35 (Penny Gwynn 11). Blocks - Columbia Falls 2 (Haley Belgrade), Hamilton 5 (Ransier 2). Digs - Columbia Falls 20 (Rowe 5), Hamilton 18 (Kennedy Chadwick 7). Assists - Columbia Falls 13 (Hope Burlage 8), Hamilton 25 (Mary Conwell 20). Aces - Columbia Falls 1 (Burlage), Hamilton 9 (Nichole Hood 3).

Corvallis def. Columbia Falls, 26-24, 25-23, 25-18.

Kills - Columbia Falls 18 (Haley Belgarde 5), Corvallis 24 (Alex Ewing 8). Blocks - Columbia Falls 5 (Belgarde 3), Corvallis 4 (Brooke Heckeroth 2, Laura Berner 2). Digs - Columbia Falls 56 (Shaun Rowe 14), Corvallis 46 (Julia Battisti 14). Assists - Columbia Falls 18 (Erika Nelson 11), Corvallis 20 (Berner 11). Aces - Columbia Falls 12 (Rowe 4), Corvallis 9 (Kelsey Raynal 4).