Kats down Libby for first conference win

The Columbia Falls volleyball team notched its first conference victory in convincing fashion at home Sept. 11, downing Libby in three matches, 25-19, 25-20, 25-19.

The Wildkats were led by Carla Nicosia with 10 kills. Sophomore Cydney Finberg had 22 assists and four aces in the win.

The Lady Loggers kept it close in each match, but the Kats were able to pull it away in the end.

At the Smelter City Classic tournament in Anaconda on Sept. 13 and 14, the Kats defeated Drummond, 19-11, 19-12, but split with Anaconda, losing 19-15 and winning 13-6.

The next day, Columbia Falls defeated Park County High School, in Livingston, 19-11, but tied the second match 15-15. The Kats also beat Polson, 19-9 and 17-8, and beat Corvallis, 19-17, 12-11. Corvallis is one of the top Class A teams in the state.

But the Kats had to settle for a split against Butte Central, losing the first game 19-12 and winning the second 18-8. Coach Josie Brown said the team is coming together and working well as a unit. Cydney Finberg is doing an excellent job running the 5-1 offense, but the Kats still need to work on their defense and create tougher serves, she said.

The Kats will travel to Stillwater Christian on Thursday night and then face Polson away Saturday.

Columbia Falls def. Libby, 25-19, 25-20, 25-19

Kills – Libby 30 (Hailey Moe 8 ), Columbia Falls 27 (Carla Nicosia 10). Blocks – Libby 2 (Moe 2), Columbia Falls 8 (Ciera Finberg 3, Winter Kemppainen 3). Digs – Libby 19 (Mahalah Wedel 10), Columbia Falls 26 (Shay Fishel 6). Assists – Libby 27 (Hannah England 25), Columbia Falls 23 (Cydney Finberg 22). Aces – Libby 7 (England 2), Columbia Falls 7 (Cydney Finberg 4).