Spikers drop Broncs handily; unbeaten streak extends to 10

Columbia Falls dished up a whopping 18 services aces they defeated Frenchtown in straight sets 25-6, 25-17, 25-9 Saturday at home.

The win extends the Wildkats’ winning streak to 10 as they continue their undefeated regular season. Their only losses this year were shortned games to Corvallis and Butte Central in the tip-off tourney at the beginning of the season.

The girls are now 10-0 overall and 4-0 in league play heading into the Missoula tournament this week, which promises tougher AA competition.

Being undefeated is nice, but not the team’s goal, said first-year coach Jessy Matthews.

“Our main focus is to improve every game and play to our potential,” she said.

The Kats will face Missoula Big Sky, Hellgate and Great Falls, among others.

“We’re excited to get down there and play,” Matthews said.

The Kats aren’t the only team that’s undefeated to date. Butte Central is also undefeated and Billings Central has only one loss. Last year’s state champion Belgrade is 9-4 overall, but perfect in conference play.

The Kats won’t see Butte until the western divisional tournament at the end of the year, Matthews noted.

Against Frenchtown, it was all Kats. Kiara Burlage had eight kills, Cydney Finberg had 25 assists and Anna Nicosia led the team with eight digs. 

The team is largely juniors with just a single regular sub. Senior Samantha Collins has been out with a leg injury, but will return to play this week after being cleared by her physician.

Columbia Falls def. Frenchtown 25-6, 25-17, 25-9

Kills — Frenchtown 14 (Laci 4), Columbia Falls 31 (Kiara Burlage 8); Blocks — Frenchtown 6 (Alivia 3), Columbia Falls 4 (Cydney Finberg 2, Keavyn Baker 2, KJ Schweickert 2); Assists — Frenchtown 12 (Kylie 7), Columbia Falls 27 (Finberg 25); Digs — Frenchtown 17 (Cora 3), Columbia Falls 23 (Anna Nicosia 8); Aces — Frenchtown 2 (Macey 2), Columbia Falls 18 (Kaitlyn Casazza 4, Burlage 4).