Vals place fourth at divisional
<p>Marissa Hiza makes a return during volleyball tourney action Friday in Florence.</p>
The Valkyries volleyball team didn’t have much success against 6B Deer Lodge and Loyola, but were able to defeat Ronan and Thompson Falls to finish fourth in last week’s divisional at Florence.Bigfork finished the season as the best team in District 7B.
“The team really stepped up and played their best,” coach Melody Strauss said. “They grew together as a team.”
Bigfork opened the tournament Thursday with a five-set win over 6B Ronan. Senior Alanis Stallknecht had 25 digs and four aces to lead the Vals.
They followed that with a loss in four sets to Deer Lodge, 19-25, 25-22, 18-25 and 23-25.
In the loser’s bracket on Friday, Bigfork defeated Thompson Falls for the second time in as many weeks, 20-25, 25-13, 25-18, 30-28.
On Friday the Vals were nervous at first, Strauss said, but regrouped to win three straight.
Trailing 11-17 in the fourth set, the Vals regrouped after a timeout and tied to the score at 20 before Thompson Falls called timeout. It was nip-and-tuck the rest of the way, but Bigfork was able to pull it out and avoid a fifth set.
The win over Thompson Falls was a big one. Having lost to the Lady Bluehawks twice during the regular season, the Vals were able to defeat them in the district tournament and at divisionals.
Junior Marissa Hiza led the way with 14 kills while senior Tessa Robertson contributed with six blocks. Freshman Abby Amidon made 15 digs while junior Josie Spoklie had 17 assists.
Friday night, Bigfork played Loyola tough before losing, 23-25, 24-26 and 21-25.
Amidon led the Vals with 10 kills. Hiza added 11 digs, while Spoklie contributed with 16 assists and Kalia Wicklund served four aces.
Defensive specialist Julia Saunders went out in the second set against Loyola with a concussion when a ball struck her in the face. She was replaced by Courtney George.
Bigfork finishes the season 12-11.