Spikers have tough time at Missoula tourney

The Columbia Falls volleyball team was still on the losing end of too many games last week, but they're playing better.

The Wildkats lost to Stillwater Christian School on Oct. 13 , 27-25, 25-17 and 26-24. The Kats were led by Hayley Belgarde, with 10 kills, and Hope Burlage, with 19 assists.

In the first game, the Kats were up by several points only to see the lead slip away.

"We had a let down instead of continuing to play tough," coach Addy Connelly said.

The team traveled to the Missoula Invitational on Oct. 14-15, where they won a game against Hellgate 18-12 for a split in pool play.

The Kats then lost the rest of their games, mostly to AA squads.

"We didn't get a lot of wins, but the girls played hard," Connelly said.

Taylor Peterson was out with an injury, Connelly said, and junior varsity players Ciera Finberg and Tiffany Hummer did a nice job filling in.

The Kats face Hamliton and Corvallis at home on Thursday. The freshmen team will start at 11 a.m.

Stillwater v. Columbia Falls

27-25, 25-17, 26-24

Kills - Stillwater 45 (Jordan Danz 16, Jade LeGassey 10), Columbia Falls 34 (Haley Belgarde 10, Hope Burlage 7), Assists - Stillwater 42 (Morgan Paolini 42), Columbia Falls 30 (Burlage 19), Blocks - Stillwater 11 (Danz 5, Sarah Paolini 3), Columbia Falls 6 (Jessie Gist 2), Digs - Stillwater 47 (Danz 14, Samantha Auger 11), Columbia Falls 55 (Jaylynn Cantu 10, Gabrielle Stenger 10), Aces - Stillwater 8 (Morgan Paolini 4, LeGassey 2), Columbia Falls 9 (Shaun Rowe 4).

Missoula Invite, pool play:

Helena def. Columbia Falls, 18-14, 18-11, Columbia Falls split with Hellgate, 18-12, 12-18; CMR def. Columbia Falls, 18-17, 18-13; Libby def. Columbia Falls, 18-14, 18-15; Polson def. Columbia Falls, 18-10. 18-17; Glacier def. Columbia Falls, 18-11, 18-3; Power bracket (best of three games to 25) - CMR def. Columbia Falls, 25-19, 25-10.

Consolation bracket, first round: Anaconda def. Columbia Falls, 25-22, 26-24.