Kats Divisional Champs!
Grace Gedlaman hits it over the net in the divisionals quarterfinal match against Butte Central on Thursday. (Teresa Byrd/Hungry Horse News)
Mady Hoerner with a trademark slam against Polson on Saturday. (Teresa Byrd/Hungry Horse News)
Hannah Schweikert bumps the ball in the divisionals semifinal match against Whitefish on Friday. (Chris Peterson/Hungry Horse News)
Dillen Hoerner spikes the ball past Polson during the Western A Divisional championship match on Saturday. (Teresa Byrd/ Hungry Horse News)
Jazzy Marino taps the ball over the net against Central on Thursday. (Teresa Byrd/Hungry Horse News)
Coach Jolandie Brooks, wearing a face shield due to coronavirus protocols, talks to the girls during the divisionals quarterfinal match on Thursday. (Teresa Byrd/Hungry Horse News)
Columbia Falls Wildkat volleyball is headed to the state tournament after dominating the Western A Divisional championship tournament.
The Kats played three home matches over three days in the divisional matchup, continuing to stack up victories for their undefeated record.
In the first round of playoffs on Thursday the Kats faced Butte Central, beating them handily in three straight sets 25-17, 25-20, and 25-17. Lauren Falkner and Dillen Hoerner each had nine kills while Mady Hoerner logged 8 kills and 11 digs. Hannah Schweikert had 34 assists, 11 digs and seven aces. Jazzy Marino had one assist and one block and Maddie Stutsman had 10 digs.
Columbia Falls then dumped Whitefish 3-1 during the semifinal match on Friday. The Bulldogs were able to steal a second set win from the divisional champs, a rare feat for any opponent this season, and setting the final scores at 25-10, 23-25, 25-18, 25-22. Mady Hoerner led the Kats with 20 kills, followed by Dillen Hoerner with 13 and Lauren Falkner with seven. Hannah Schweikert had 45 assists and four aces. Dillen Hoerner had 20 digs followed by Mady Hoerner with 18 and Lauren Falkner with 11. Jazzy Marino ground two aces and one block.
The Kats squared off against Polson for the championship match on Saturday, securing the title in three straight sets 25-23, 25-17, 25-13.
“So proud of the girls taking care of business today!” said head coach Jolandie Brooks.
Mady Hoerner had 13 kills and 12 digs. Dillen Hoerner had 10 kills, 12 digs and one block. Lauren Falkner had eight kills. Hannah Schweikert had 35 assists and four aces. Jazzy Marino had 11 digs and one block.
The Wildkats travel to Sidney this week for the Class A State Tournament, playing their first match at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12 against Havre.
