Valkyries look to come from behind at divisionals

Bigfork volleyball struggled on Saturday at the district meet, losing both matches.

The Valkyries fell to Eureka in 3-1 and Plains 3-0.

“We came out a little bit flat, kind of low energy and with what seemed to be not a lot of confidence,” head coach Melody Strauss said. “After losing to Eureka we lost a little bit of our fight.”

While Bigfork won the second set against Eureka 25-21, they were unable to come back and win the match losing the last two sets 25-17 and 25-18.

Things continued to go poorly for Bigfork against Plains when Kayla Casalegno was injured while going after a loose ball.

However, the losses didn’t end their season, and the Vals will have the chance to climb back to the top on Thursday at the divisional tournament in Ronan, and coming from behind, Strauss said they’re fired up.

“I think if anything it’s inspired us to be better,” she said.

Bigfork will take on Florence at 10 a.m. on Thursday. If they win they will play again on Thursday at 6 p.m. and if they lose they will play again Friday morning at 10 a.m. While it will be an uphill battle, it’s possible the Vals could play their way to the top of the division and on to the state tournament in Bozeman.

“It’s not unrealistic at all,” Strauss said.

Eureka 3, Bigfork 1

25-22, 21-25, 25-17, 25-18

Assists 23 (Kalia Wicklund 22), Kills 34 (Lana Berg 11), Blocks 9 (Berg 4, Miranda Campbell 4,) Aces 4 (Abbie Fraley 2, Kalia Wicklund 2), Digs 70 (Marissa Hiza 16, Fraley 16)

Plains 3, Bigfork 0

25-17, 25-17, 25-18

Assists 18 (Wicklund 18), Kills 23 (Hiza 6, Berg 6,) Blocks 1 (Campbell), Aces 3 (Berg, Campbell and Riley Coleman), Digs 16 (Fraley 6).