Helena downs Flathead in volleyball playoff match
HELENA — Flathead battled third-seed Helena High, but the seventh-seed Bravettes came up short in a 17-25, 25-13, 25-21, 25-21 Western AA Division volleyball plaoff match on Thursday evening.
Helena High, ranked fourth in the AA coaches poll, advances to the state tournament next week in Bozeman with the victory.
Flathead qualified for this matchup by besting sixth seed Missoula Hellgate on Tuesday in Missoula 3-1.
Helena High (14-7 overall) dominated net play against Flathead (7-18) with 47 kills. Flathead recorded 25.
Helena def. Flathead 17-25, 25-13, 25-21, 25-21
Kills - Flat 25 (Julia Burden 9), HHS 47 (Vanessa Walsh 19, Jamie Pickens 11); Assists - Flat 19 (Bailey Nunn 17), HHS 41 (Emily Feller 35); Digs - Flat 51 (Sierra Wilhelm 12), HHS 60 (Taelyr Lieberg 20, Walsh 11); Blocks - Flat 6 (Taylor Henley 3, Hannah O’Dell 3), HHS 9 (Pickens 6, Emily Pizzini 3); Aces - Flat 7 (Burden 3, Sierra Wilhelm 3), HHS 9 (Kaci Lloyd 3, Hannah Kerker 2).
Eastern AA Division
Playoff Match
Winner advances to state
Thursday
At Great Falls High
(4) Great Falls def. (5) Billings Skyview 25-22, 25-23, 28-26
Skyview – Digs 49 (Ashlynne Copinga 17); blocks 4 (Bella Bryan, Aspen Willems 2); kills 27 (Jenny English 8); assists 22 (Emilee Allred 13); aces 2 (Copinga, Holli McElvain 1).
GFH – Digs 58 (Hailey Little 24); blocks 6 (Abbie Groskreutz 4); kills 44 (Danielle Devlin 16); assists 43 (Celia Keil 21); aces 4 (Devlin 3).