Volleyball Kats improve to 4-0
Columbia Falls Wildkat Grace Gedlaman hits the ball past Libby defenders Sheyla Gallagher (2) and McKenzie Proffitt (9). (Jeremy Weber/Hungry Horse News)
The Wildkats volleyball teams continued it’s quick start to the season last week, downing Libby, Ronan and Stevensville to improve to 4-0.
Madysen Hoerner had 11 kills, Hannah Schweikert recorded 22 assists and Angellica Street added 13 digs as the Kats made quick work of Libby at home Tuesday, sweeping the Lady Loggers in three sets, 25-20, 25-10 and 25-19.
The first two sets were never really in question as the Kats jumped out to quick leads and never looked back. The Lady Loggers got off to a quick start in the third set and led midway through, but Columbia Falls rallied and pulled away at the end to win by six.
The Kats finished the match with seven aces, four from Schweikert and three from Street while Kiera Brown and Schweikert added six kills and one block each. Schweikert also recorded six digs.
“We tried to play consistent and keep our errors low,” head coach Jolandie Brooks said. “Mady Hoerner had a good offensive night. Hannah’s and Angellica’s aces helped. Both of them are huge assets on the court all around.”
The Kats were without the services of Street at libero Thursday at Ronan and Saturday against Stevensville as she made a college visit to Texas A&M University, but Columbia Falls battled back from first-set losses to win both matches.
The Kats dropped a nail-biter in the opening set at Ronan Thursday, 24-26, before winning the next three to take the match, 25-19, 25-15 and 25-16.
Madysen Hoerner and Dillen Hoerner led the attack with 16 and 12 kills, respectively, while Schweikert had all 33 of the team’s assists in the contest. Schweikert and Dillen Hoerner also led in aces with four each while McKena Rensel had 16 digs, Brown had three blocks and Madysen Hoerner added two.
It was much the same story at home against Stevi Saturday as the Kats dropped the opening set 19-25 before bouncing back to win the next three, 25-14, 25-12 and 25-21.
Madysen Hoerner recorded 17 kills to lead the way in the win while Brown had 11 and Dillen Hoerner had five. Schweikert had 32 of the team’s 33 assists while Grace Gedlaman led in blocks four. Dillen Hoerner had nine digs while Schweikert and Madysen Hoerner added seven each.
“We played without our starting Libero in both matches, which impacted our normal rhythm and flow,” Brooks said about the wins. “Once we adjusted, we were able to get in a rhythm and manage the game better. Our team stepped up when needed and got the job done.”
The Kats were back in action at Whitefish Tuesday after presstime and will play again at Polson Thursday before hosting Ronan for a Homecoming matchup Sept. 24. All events start with froshmore games at 4:15 with varsity starting around 7 p.m.