Battling injury, Kats prepare for divisionals
The Columbia Falls High School girls volleyball team couldn’t oust the Northwestern A conference’s No. 1 Polson from its seat Thursday. The Kats lost all three matches 25-14, 25-17 and 25-11.
“We had a couple more injuries,” said coach Addy Connelly. “One with a sprained ankle, one with a stress fracture, one with a knee. Hopefully we can stick together for one more week.”
Compounding the loss is the fact that varsity setter Erika Nelson is out sick. Hope Burlage will fill her shoes during divisionals, which will be held at CFHS Friday and Saturday.
The limping team couldn’t get their hitting down Thursday, contributing its fall to Polson.
“We’re struggling with our hitting,” Connelly said. “It’s knowing when one aspect of the game goes hot, we have to get it back. It puts us at a disadvantage when one of our players, who always touches the ball second, is out. We’re just not playing 100 percent.”
Connelly said she’s pulling junior varsity setter Alli Diernfield up to varsity for the week’s practices. Diernfield may play in divisionals Friday.
“We haven’t won a game all season, but as of right now everybody’s score is zero-zero,” Connelly said. “We have to make due with what we’ve got and pull it together when the time is right. Hopefully our home team advantage will help us out.”
The Kats play Libby Friday at 11 a.m. The Loggers are the fourth seed in the conference; the Kats are the fifth seed. If the Kats win, they’ll go head-to-head with Polson again. If they lose, they’ll play the loser of the Whitefish-Ronan game. If the Kats lose the second game, they’re out of divisionals.
Polson def. Columbia Falls 25-14, 25-17, 25-11
Kills -Polson 30 (Breanne Kelley 12, Sallie Sams 8), Columbia Falls 16 (Jessie Gist 7). Blocks - Polson 4 (Kelley 2, Sams 2), Columbia Falls 1 (n/a). Digs - Polson 33 (Ashley Johnson 12, Kendyall Rochin 5), Columbia Falls 31 (Dani Gilley 12, Shaun Rowe 9). Assists - Polson 26 (Kayla Duford 25), Columbia Falls 16 (Hope Burlage 11). Aces - Polson 10 (Ashley Johnson 6), Columbia Falls 4 (Gabrielle Stenger 3).
Divisionals ticket prices are as follows: adult, $7 per day; student, $5 per day; all-session adult passes, $12; all-session student passes, $8. No activity passes are honored at postseason events.