Kats drop Dogs, go undefeated in conference

The Columbia Falls volleyball team finished up its regular season with a drubbing of Whitefish in three sets at home Nov. 1, 25-17, 25-15, 25-13.

It was senior night and the Wildkat seniors dominated the net — Carla Nicosia, Ciera Finberg and Winter Kemppainen each had seven kills. Kemppainen also had four blocks.

The Kats dished up 13 aces against the hapless Lady Bulldogs — Kaity Presnell and Shaylene Fishel had five apiece.

The Kats went undefeated in Northwest Class A conference play at 8-0 and secured a first-round bye in the divisional tournament. The tournament will start this Friday in Libby.

Columbia Falls is the favorite going into the tourney. They’ve only lost one match to a Class A opponent this year — to Corvallis in the opening game of the season. In their next meeting, the Kats beat the Blue Devils, who won the state title last year over Lewistown.

Both teams promise to be in the mix at state this year. If the Kats win the divisional tourney, they’ll open the state tournament with a tough draw — the No. 2 team in the Central division, which likely will be Belgrade or Lewistown. Both teams have excellent records, with 11 or more wins. Columbia Falls is now 12-1 overall.

Coach Josie Brown has confidence in her team.

“They play to win, they don’t play to survive,” she said. “Volleyball is as much mental toughness as it is physical toughness.”

The girls open the divisional tournament in Libby with the winner of the Whitefish-Polson game at 3 p.m. Friday. They’ll leave Thursday and get to practice on the Libby gym before the match as the No. 1 seed.

Columbia Falls def. Whitefish, 25-17, 25-15, 25-13

Kills – Whitefish 19 (Myndi Holbrook 6), Columbia Falls 25 (Carla Nicosia 7, Ciera Finberg 7, Winter Kemppainen 7) Assists – Whitefish 16 (Allie Schultz 10), Columbia Falls 25 (Cydney Finberg 21). Digs – Whitefish 53 (Ellie Dewan 17), Columbia Falls 49 (Shay Fishel 12, Winter Kemppainen 12) Blocks – Whitefish 0, Columbia Falls 6 (Kemppianen 4) Aces – Whitefish 1 (Allie Schultz), Columbia Falls 13 (Kaity Presnell 5, Fishel 5)