Spikers extend unbeaten streak to nine games
Ryley Kehr spikes the ball over the net against Hamilton.
The Columbia Falls volleyball team is still a force to be reckoned with, even with several starters out. Playing without Kiara Burlage, Kaitlyn Casazza and KJ Schweikert, the Wildkats still kept their unbeaten streak intact as they downed Hamilton 25-22, 25-14, 20-25, 25-20 and Corvallis 25-10, 25-21, 25-12 at home Saturday.
The girls are now 9-0 on the season.
The missing girls were taking their SAT exams, so they missed the Hamilton match. It didn’t matter. Morgan Stenger had 22 kills over the two matches and Ryley Kehr, though she didn’t show up on the stat sheet, had a solid performance filling in for the Kats.
Anna Nicosia had four aces in the Hamilton match and Cydney Finberg set up the offense in both matches with 25 and 35 assists respectively. She also had 16 digs against Hamilton. Casazza had 21 digs against Corvallis.
“They had a great day overall,” coach Jessy Matthews said. “Our passing was much better than it has been.”
She said Kehr did a great job.
“She’s one of first options off the bench,” Matthews said.
The girls face rival Whitefish Thursday night and Frenchtown Saturday. Both matches are at home, with freshmen starting at 4:15 and 1 p.m. respectively.
But the bigger test for the Kats comes the week after, when they travel to the Missoula tourney Oct. 20-21. There they’ll face a host of AA teams from across the state.
“We’re excited for the challenge,” Matthews said.
Columbia Falls def. Hamilton 25-22, 25-14, 20-25, 25-20
Kills — Hamilton 40 (Tristy Searle 13), Columbia Falls 36 (Morgan Stenger 9). Blocks — Hamilton 4 (Kacia Guisinger 2), Columbia Falls 8 (Stenger 5). Assists — Hamilton 34 (Caitlin Dillon 31), Columbia Falls 27 (Cydney Finberg 25). Digs — Hamilton 79 (Brooke Huxtable 22), Columbia Falls 61 (Finberg 16). Aces — Hamilton 5 (no leader), Columbia Falls 14 (Anna Nicosia 4).
Columbia Falls def. Corvallis 25-10, 25-21, 25-12
Kills — Corvallis 15 (Maureen Jessop 5), Columbia Falls 44 (Morgan Stenger 13). Blocks — Corvallis 7 (Genesis Keith 2.5), Columbia Falls 6 (Stenger 3). Assists — Corvallis 15 (Kate Hurlbert 15), Columbia Falls 37 (Cydney Finberg 35). Digs — Corvallis 62 (Hurlbert 14), Columbia Falls 66 (Kaitlyn Casazza 21). Aces — Corvallis 2 (no leader), Columbia Falls 7 (Finberg 3).