Lady Bulldog spikers hold off Wildkats to get over .500

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

The Lady Bulldog volleyball team took on Columbia Falls Friday night at home in a Northwestern A battle. The Wildkats played hard until the final whistle, but Whitefish prevailed in a sweep, 25-18, 25-16, 28-26.

The win moves Whitefish to 3-2 overall, with both of their losses coming in five-game heartbreakers to Bigfork and Libby.

The third game was the thriller of the night. Both teams exchanged leads several times, including twice each at game point. It was looking like the Wildkats would force a fourth game at the end, but the Lady Bulldogs somehow kept their cool and got a few key returns across the net.

Head coach Jackie Fuller has seen her share of pressure-packed endings this season, and she is proud of the way her team has been able to finish them off in the last few outings.

"That's something that we're finally getting over the hump with," she said. "Columbia Falls came at us, they have some great hitters on that side. We were just able to dig a couple balls and come out on top."

Kate Klundt had a nice defensive game for Whitefish, registering four blocks and 21 digs. Adele FauntLeRoy and Molly Filipek both tabbed five aces for the Lady Bulldogs. Jessie Slaybaugh led Whitefish with 19 assists, and McCara Cullen registered a team-high nine kills.

"I'm really proud of our girls. They came out playing hard," Fuller said. "They did a couple things well and served the ball well this time. Our setters did a nice job of moving the ball around to different hitters. I also felt our defense did a nice job."

The Lady Bulldogs host the Ronan Maidens on Thursday night.

"We've played them once already this year, and they're just a real scrappy defensive team," Fuller said. "We're just going to have to be ready to be aggressive and keep attacking. They have some great defensive players."

The game is set for 7 p.m. at Whitefish High School gym.