Kats headed to state after finishing second at Divisionals

Volleyball team to open state against Hardin Thursday

By JEREMY WEBER

Hungry Horse News

The Wildkat volleyball team will enter the Class A State Tournament in Bozeman Thursday as a second seed after going 3-2 at the Western A Divisional Tournament in Dillion over the weekend.

The only two losses at for the Kats at divisionals came at the hands of eventual champion Corvallis.

Lauren Falkner had nine kills and Dillen Hoerner added six as the Wildkats swept Stevensville in their first match at divisionals, downing the Lady Yellowjackets 25-15, 25-14, 26-24. Kamber Brown had 24 of the Kats’ 25 assists while Angellica Street had 24 digs and Hoerner added 12.

The Kats got another sweep later that evening as they took down Butte Central in three sets, 25-18, 25-22, 25-11. The Kats got a balanced attack from their front line as Hoerner, Falkner and Kiera Brown combined for 26 of the team’s 33 kills in the win. Brown also added three blocks while Brown had 25 assists, Street had 19 digs and Hoerner added 11.

The Kats came up short against Corvallis in the third round of the tournament Friday evening, falling to the Lady Blue Devils in three sets, 25-19, 27-25, 25-15.

The Bluedevils had 43 kills to the Kats’ 30 in the loss while Corvallis also had 60 digs while Columbia Falls recorded only 46. Mady Hoerner had 12 kills and Dillen Hoerner added 10 in the loss while Brown had 28 assists. Street had 26 of the team’s 46 digs while Dillen Hoerner added 13 and Mady Hoerner had 10.

The Kats bounced back with a 3-1 victory over Butte Central in the third-place match Saturday morning, downing the Lady Maroons 25-17, 13-25, 25-15, 25-19. Kamber Brown had 40 assists in the win, setting up 18 kills by Dillen Hoerner, 11 from Mady Hoerner and nine by Kiera Brown. Street had 26 of the team’s 72 digs while Kamber Brown and Mady Hoerner each added 13. Dillen Hoerner, Falkner and Grace Gedlaman all had blocks in the victory.

The Kats again came up short against the Lady Blue Devils in the divisional championship match, falling 25-17, 25-20, 25-15.

Mady and Dillen Hoerner each had five kills to lead the C-Falls attack while Kamber Brown had 16 assists. Street had 18 of the team’s 49 digs and Dillen Hoerner added 15.

The Kats will open the state tournament against Hardin at noon Thursday. Hardin enters the tournament as the No. 3 seed from the Eastern Division.