Spikers hang tough against rival Bulldogs

The Columbia Falls volleyball team may be young, but they’re getting better every match.

Last Thursday, in their last home match of the season, they took Whitefish to four games, 18-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-17.

“We’re going to keep plugging away and working hard,” said coach Jolandie Brooks. “Our goal is to continue to get harder and harder to beat.”

Ryley Kehr and Stella Bistodeau led the squad with nine kills apiece. Bistodeau, who is a sophomore, also had five blocks. Kiera Brown, another sophomore, had six.

Hannah Schweikert, a freshman, had 25 of the squad’s 26 assists as the setter.

Angellica Street, a sophomore, had 16 digs and served three aces. The Wildkats have just one senior in Tallia Sova. Kehr and Trista Cowan, who had 15 digs, are juniors.

Against the Bulldogs, the Kats played spirited ball, with several long volleys that were fun to watch.

They played Polson away for their last conference match Tuesday after presstime and then wrap up the regular season with the Missoula tourney this Thursday and Friday.

Whitefish 3 Columbia Falls 1

18-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-17

Whitefish: Kills 45 (Cailyn Ross 17). Blocks 9 (Ross 4). Digs 91 (Serena Hemmingson 35). Assists 39 (Becca Catina 28). Aces 4 (Four with 1).

Columbia Falls: Kills 32 (Ryley Kehr 9, Stella Bistodeau 9). Blocks 13 (Kiera Brown 6, Bistodeau 5). Digs 79 (Angellica Street 16, Trista Cowan 15). Assists 26 (Hannah Schweikert 25). Aces 6 (Street 3).