Kats scratch Lady Bulldogs on Halloween

The Columbia Falls volleyball team wrapped up their regular season with a convincing win against Whitefish in an away game on Halloween night.

The Wildkats swept the Lady Bulldogs 25-18, 25-22, 25-10 to end the season with a 6-2 conference record and an 8-5 overall record — their best regular-season showing in years.

The Kats were led by freshman Kiara Burlage, who had nine kills. Burlage came in for senior Haley Belgarde, who was out with an illness, and did a great job. Cydney Finberg had 23 of the Kats’ 24 assists, and Shaylene Fishel had 15 digs.

The Kats’ only two conference losses were to Frenchtown, a team they’ll likely face in the Northwest Class A divisional tournament coming up this week in Polson. But first Columbia Falls will have to beat Whitefish again.

The Kats will open the tournament against the Lady Bulldogs on Friday at 1 p.m. A coin flip held on Monday determined which team was third in the conference, after Whitefish, Libby and Polson all tied with a 2-6 conference record.

Wildkat coach Josie Brown said that while the Columbia Falls enjoyed a good regular season, it was time for the team to reset, play relaxed and stay focused.

Kills — CF 33 (Kiara Burlage, 9), WF 19 (Marlow Shulz, 7); Blocks — CF 6 (Carla Nicosia 3) Whitefish, 1, (Bekah Weaver); Assists — CF 24, (Cydney Finberg 23), WF 19, (Allie Shulz, 8); Digs — CF 59, (Shaylene Fishel, 15), WF 37 (Maura Kalbfleisch, 16); Aces — CF 2, (Cydney Finberg, 1, Ciera Finberg, 1), WF 5 (A. Schulz, 2, Kalbfleisch, 2).