Volleyball team should be in the mix at state again this year
Tallia Sova spikes the ball during volleyball practice drills last week.
Losing just one senior to graduation, the Columbia Falls volleyball team should be right in the mix for a state A title again this year. But the Kats aren’t resting on their laurels.
“It’s a new year and our focus is working hard every single game,” coach Jessy Matthews said.
The team features eight seniors and all they started last year when they won the state A title, beating top-ranked Corvallis for the crown.
This year the Kats will have the bullseye firmly planted on their back, Matthews acknowledged. Still, the girls are a confident bunch. They have a host of talent. Cydney Finberg, Kiara Burlage and Morgan Stenger were all-state and first-team all-conference players last year and Kaitlyn Cassazza and Anna Nicosia were second-team all conference.
They also have height. Burlage, Stenger and KJ Schweikert are all 6 feet tall or taller and Finberg is 5-10. Keavyn Baker is a bit shorter, but her vertical leap makes up for it. Baker tore her ACL in the last regular game of the season last year, but is fully recovered. Rounding out the lineup is senior Julianne Laycock.
Look for Ryley Kehr, Trista Cowan, Tallia Sova and Ava Chisholm to come off the bench for the squad.
The team will be tested early and often at the Tip-Off tournament in Whitefish Friday and Saturday. They open pool play against the southwest teams, which include Corvallis and Butte Central.