Spikers open divisional tourney against Columbia Falls
<p>Maura Kalbfleisch goes up for a kill during a conference match against Columbia Falls on Thursday in Whitefish.</p>
The Whitefish volleyball team opens the Northwest A Divisional Tournament on Friday with a tough draw.
The Lady Bulldogs will take on rival Columbia Falls in the first round of the double-elimination tournament at Polson. The Wildkats have beat the Dogs twice this season, including a 3-0 sweep last week at Whitefish.
Three teams — Whitefish, Polson and Libby — finished the season at 2-6 in league play.
The Lady Loggers will face Polson in the other first-round match.
Frenchtown went undefeated in the conference at 8-0 and earned a first-round bye.
Defense has led the Lady Dogs this season. They are second in the league in blocking, behind only Frenchtown, with 90 stuffs at the net.
On offense, Whitefish is fourth in hitting and last in assists and serving aces.
Whitefish senior Marlow Schulz leads the team with 82 kills and 42 blocks — 13 solo and 29 assisted.
Senior Bekah Weaver has 51 kills, and has served up a team-best 19 aces. She also has 157 assists.
Senior Brittany Barnes leads the Dogs with 133 digs this season.
Whitefish’s match with Columbia Falls on Friday begins at 1 p.m.