Ronan rallies for 4th; Mission battles well, Pirates play for pride

RONAN – Two Mission Valley 6B teams, the Mission St. Ignatius Lady Bulldogs and the Ronan Maidens, competed in the Western B Divisional at the Ronan Events Center this past weekend.

Ronan wrapped up the tournament with a 4th place finish after a gutsy 2-2 performance. Mission succumbed 0-2, but not without a battle royale in the opening round that went a full five sets with the finale extending into extras, while they took the Bigfork Vals into the 20s in their first two sets of the second game.

Eleven area seniors wrapped up their prep volleyball careers at this divisional tournament, five from Ronan and a half dozen from Mission.

The Ronan Maiden quintet of McKenzie Cates, Sydnee Clairmont, McKenzie Dulmes, Dani Richwine and Kendra Starkel collaborated on a collective four game total of 133 Kills, 35 Aces, 37 Blocks, 209 Digs.

The Mission Lady Bulldog six of Emilie Charlo, Shania Dubois, Courtney Heath, Lindsay Johnson, Camaleigh Old Coyote and Laurel Scott collaborated on a collective two game total of 43K, 6A, 10B, 63D.

Western B Divisional vb

Ronan Event Center

(Th-Sa, 6-8 Nov 2014)

Ronan Maiden sr div stats (4gms)

McKenzie Cates (13K, 16A, 4B, 14D),

Sydnee Clairmont (41K, 2A, 12B, 12D),

McKenzie Dulmes (35K, 9A, 16B, 37D),

Dani Richwine (1K, 4A, 60D),

Kendra Starkel (43K, 4A, 5B, 86D)

Mission Lady Bulldog sr div stats (2gms)

Emilie Charlo (10K, 3B, 4D)

Shania Dubois (1K, 3A, 13D)

Courtney Heath (1K, 15D)

Lindsay Johnson (20K, 3A, 7B, 26D)

Camaleigh Old Coyote (6K, 3D)

Laurel Scott (5K, 2D)

T Falls 3,

Ronan 1

The fourth encounter this season between these two talented teams didn’t fare much differently from any of the previous outcomes with Thompson Falls advancing to the third place game, while relegating Ronan to a fourth place finish in the Western B Divisional tournament.

After the Lady Bluehawks took flight in this match with a 2-0 set advantage, the Maidens battled back to capture the third set by half a dozen points. The fourth set started out tightly contested with two ties in the early going and Ronan trailing by only a point shortly after that.

Thompson Falls was able to implement some adjustments to counter Maiden mischief, but Ronan could not recalibrate its rotation soon enough to counter as the point spread continued to expand.

The quintet of Maiden seniors McKenzie Cates, Sydnee Clairmont, McKenzie Dulmes, Dani Richwine and Kendra Starkel collaborated on 27 kills, 6 aces, 8 blocks and three dozen digs in the final game of their prep volleyball careers. Jordyn Clairmont was in top form, dishing out 20 assists to set the table for the front row.

Thompson Falls got some crazy eights action from a trio of their players who evenly split two dozen spikes between them. Ronan (8-14) wrapped up its season with a 4th place finish at the Western B Divisional tournament.

Factoring out the full five set 3-2 tilt between these two clubs during the regular schedule, it is somewhat ironic that Ronan managed to win a different sequential set in each of the trio of 3-1 match outcomes, indicative of how close they were to turning the corner on this opponent.

TFalls def Ronan 25-12, 25-16, 19-25, 25-15

KILLS - Ronan 34 (Sydnee Clairmont 12, McKenzie Dulmes 7, Ashley Peterson 5, Kendra Starkel 5, McKenzie Cates 3, Jordyn Clairmont, Ali Buhr), TF 33 (Madi Fitchett 8 Shey Hannum 8, Sierra Sorlie 8). ACES - Ronan 6 (Cates 3, Dani Richwine 2, Syd Clairmont), TF 9 (Hannum 2, Sorlie 2, Fitchett 2). ASSISTS - Ronan 23 (Jordyn Clairmont 20, Shaina Snyder 2, Starkel), TF 28 (Logan Beckman 27). BLOCKS - Ronan 11 (Syd Clairmont 4, Peterson 3, Dulmes 3, Cates), TF 11 (Hannum 6). DIGS - Ronan 51 (Richwine 18, Starkel 11, J.Clairmont 9, Syd Clairmont 5, Dulmes 3, Bailey Speagle 3, Cates 2), TF 56 (Sorlie 16).

(Fr07Nov14vbdiv-4thpl)

Ronan 3,

Eureka 2

Just call them the marathon Maidens! Ronan pulled out another five set match in spectacular fashion for a back-to-back fiver victory. The Maidens took the opening set in convincing fashion, only to have the second set slip out of the fingers of their grasp when it extended into extras to even things up at one apiece. Ronan recaptured the momentum by taking a close third set, only to watch the Lady Lions roar back into contention when they took the fourth set to even matters up once again at two apiece. That forced a fifth set finale for all the marbles with the winner advancing to play in the fourth place game. Ronan jumped out to a 2-0 lead, only to have Eureka tie things up twice at 2 and 3 apiece. The Maidens cobbled together a little cushion 6-3, then held on tight as the Lady Lions twice pulled within one of tying things up once again. But the tournament hosts were able to extend the lead to a half dozen 12-6, then held on for the victory. Ronan (8-13) draws a rematch against Thompson Falls with the winner advancing to the third place match Saturday afternoon.

Ronan def Eureka 25-14, 24-26, 25-21, 17-25, 15-11

KILLS - Ronan 43 (Kendra Starkel 11, Sydnee Clairmont 9, McKenzie Dulmes 9, Ashley Peterson 5, McKenzie Cates 5, Bailey Speagle 2, Jordyn Clairmont, Shaina Snyder), Eureka 38 (Amanda Peterson 12). ACES - Ronan *11 (Dulmes 5, Cates 4, J.Clairmont 2), Eureka 9 (Elliott Peterson 3). ASSISTS - Ronan 23 (Jordyn Clairmont 23), Eureka 25 (Courtney Lemer 14). BLOCKS - Ronan 13 (Syd Clairmont 4, Dulmes 4, Peterson 4, Cates), Eureka 8 (A.Peterson 2, E. Peterson 2). DIGS - Ronan 76 (Starkel 30, Richwine 13, Dulmes 11, Snyder 8, J.Clairmont 7, Cates 3, Peterson, Syd Clairmont, Bailey Speagle, Alex Dennis), Eureka 100 (Evynn Anderson 29). (Fr07Nov14vbdiv-lo2)

Ronan 3, Plains 2

The Maidens kept their season alive, going the distance as they tamed the Lady Trotters in five sets. The finale extended into extras before the dust finally settled and all was said and done.

Ronan got a very productive outing from its quintet of seniors McKenzie Cates, Sydnee Clairmont, McKenzie Dulmes, Dani Richwine and Kendra Starkel, who collaborated on 37 kills, 10 aces, 11 blocks as well as 53 digs. Jordyn Clairmont and Shaina Snyder collaborated on all 28 set assists for the Maidens.

Plains was paced by Hailey Phillips with 9 kills. Ronan (7-13) advances to the second round of consolation play.

Ronan def Plains 25-23, 20-25, 25-23, 18-25, 16-14

KILLS - Plains 16 (Hailey Phillips 9), Ronan 44 (Kendra Starkel 16, Sydnee Clairmont 10, McKenzie Dulmes 9, Ashley Peterson 5, McKenzie Cates 2, Jordyn Clairmont, Bailey Speagle). ACES - Plains 6 (Hailey Coe 2, Leah Thompson 2), Ronan 18 (Cates 6, Speagle 3, Shaina Snyder 3, Dulmes 2, Starkel 2, J.Clairmont). ASSISTS - Plains 13 (Kim Earhart 8), Ronan 28 (J.Clairmont 18, Snyder 10). BLOCKS - Plains 12 (Thompson 4), Ronan 12 (Dulmes 5, Starkel 4, Syd Clairmont 2, Cates, Peterson). DIGS - Plains 29 (Kristen Josephson 8), Ronan 60 (Richwine 18, Starkel 18, Dulmes 11, Snyder 5, Cates 4, Syd Clairmont 2, Speagle, J.Clairmont). (Fr07Nov14vbdiv-lo1)

T Falls 3,

Ronan 1

Ronan was hoping that their third tangle with the tall talents of district 7B champion Thompson Falls would be a charm, but once again the troublesome talons of the Lady Bluehawks pinched victory from the grasp of the Maidens. Ronan held a slight edge in kills as well as defensive blocks and digs. After winning the opening set, the Maidens were able to keep the remaining sets close, but couldn’t quite turn the corner.

The collective efforts of the Maiden seniors almost collaborated on three dozen kills, all of the team aces and almost five dozen digs.

Ronan (6-13) drops into the consolation side of the bracket with the loss.

TFalls def Ronan 23-25, 25-16, 25-20, 25-22

KILLS - Ronan *41 (Kendra Starkel 11, Sydnee Clairmont 10, McKenzie Dulmes 10, Ashley Peterson 4, McKenzie Cates 3, Shaina Snyder 2, Dani Richwine), TF 37 (Shey Hannum 15). ACES - Ronan 9 (Cates 3, Dulmes 2, Starkel 2, Syd Clairmont, Richwine), TF 11 (Sierra Sorlie 4). ASSISTS - Ronan *21 (Jordyn Clairmont *11, Snyder 7, Starkel 2, Cates), TF 37 (Logan Beckman 25). BLOCKS - Ronan 12 (Dulmes 4, Syd Clairmont *3, Starkel, Peterson, Cates, Ali Buhr), TF 10 (Autrey Hannum 4). DIGS - Ronan 65 (Starkel 27, Dulmes 12, Richwine 11, Cates 5, Syd Clairmont 4, J.Clairmont 3, Snyder 2, Peterson), TF 63 (Beckman 16).(Th06Nov14vbdiv-rnd1)

Asterisk (*) denotes variants from alternative source that differ from those cited in media coverage. *Rvar - K37, SA25 (J.Clairmont 13), B12 (Syd Clairmont 4).

Bigfork 3,

Mission 0

At Ronan last Friday, the match between the Mission St. Ignatius Lady Bulldogs and Bigfork was less than a friendliest of skirmishes when gals pal with Vals as Bigfork swept them in straight sets to eliminate Mission from the divisional tournament.

The Lady Bulldogs played Bigfork close the first two sets, both foraging into the 20s. But in the deciding third set, the Vals doubled down on the Dawgs to advance to the next round. Jordyn Eichert set the table for all of the Mission assists.

St. Ignatius (6-16) closed out their season as well as the prep volleyball careers of their half dozen seniors in Emilie Charlo, Shania Dubois, Courtney Heath, Lindsay Johnson, Camaleigh Old Coyote and Laurel Scott. The sensational six contributed a baker’s dozen spikes, a quartet of aces, both blocks and two thirds of the team total digs in their final game.

Bigfork def Mission 25-22, 25-22, 25-12

KILLS - StIgn 19 (Lindsay Johnson 8, Sydney Castor 3, Camaleigh Old Coyote 2, Jordyn Eichert 2, Emilie Charlo 2, Laurel Scott, Trinity Lewandowski), Bigfork 24 (Marissa Hiza 7). ACES - StIgn 9 (Shania Dubois 3, Castor 2, Lewandowski 2, Eichert, Johnson), Bigfork 16 (Abbie Fraley 8). ASSISTS - StIgn 15 (Jordyn Eichert 15), Bigfork 17 Katie Wicklund 15). BLOCKS - StIgn 2 (Emilie Charlo, Johnson), Bigfork 3 (Lana Berg 2). DIGS - StIgn 58 (Sydney Castor 15, Johnson 12, Lewandowski 10, Eichert 9, Dubois 8, Heath 3, Old Coyote), Bigfork 83 (Fraley 12). (Fr07Nov14vbdiv-lo)

Eureka 3,

Mission 2

At Ronan last Thursday, the Mission Lady Bulldogs and the Eureka Lady Lions put on an offensive showcase in which both teams posted over three dozen kills each. Two of the sets stretched into extras. Mission eked out the second set 28-26 to even the match at one set apiece, but later emerged on the short end of the fifth and final set finale 14-16.

After capturing the marathon 2nd set in extras, the Lady Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead when they left the listing Lady Lions lanquishing in the teens. Forced to recalibrate and make adjustments, the Lady Lions roared back to life in the fourth set to tie the match up once again at two apiece, forcing a fifth and frantic finale.

Both teams had faced one another early in September with Eureka emerging the victor 3-1, although Mission had pushed them into extras in the fourth set before falling 26-28.

The difference in the outcome of this divisional contest may have hinged on the exceptional defensive efforts of Eureka who topped the century plateau with digs, scooping out a lot of Lady Bulldog spike attempts that might have found the floor otherwise.

Mission (6-15) slips into consolation round action against the Bigfork Valkyries (11-9).

Eureka def Mission 25-12, 26-28, 15-25, 25-10, 16-14

KILLS - StIgn 38 (Lindsay Johnson 12, Emilie Charlo 8, Sydney Castor 5, Camaleigh Old Coyote 4, Laurel Scott 4, Jordyn Eichert 2, Trinity Lewandowski, Shania Dubois, Courtney Heath), Eureka 37 (Amanda Peterson 17). ACES - StIgn 12 (Trinity Lewandowski 5, Eichert 4, Johnson 2, Castor), Eureka 15 (Elliot Peterson 6). ASSISTS - StIgn 23 (Jordyn Eichert 23), Eureka 27 (Courtney Lemer 14, Charity Parson 12). BLOCKS - StIgn 8 (Johnson 6, Charlo 2), Eureka 5 (E.Peterson 2, A.Peterson 2). DIGS - StIgn 67 (Johnson 14, Heath 12, Castor 11, Eichert 10, Lewandowski 7, Dubois 5, Charlo 4, Scott 2, Old Coyote 2), Eureka 117 (Evynn Anderson 38). (Th06Nov14vbdiv-rnd1)

WESTERN B DIVISIONAL

Ronan Event Center

Th-Sa, 6-8 Nov 2014

 1st place - Florence (22-2)

2nd place - Loyola (19-4)

3rd place - TFalls (15-8)

 2nd championship

 Florence swept Loyola 3-0

Flo def Loy 25-22, 25-15, 25-17

 1st championship

 Florence swept Loyola 3-0

Flo def Loy 25-22, 25-21, 26-24

 3rd place game

 Florence swept TFalls 3-0

Flo def TF 27-25, 25-17, 25-22

 4th place game

 TFalls def Ronan 3-1

 Undefeated semifinal

 Loyola def Florence 3-2

Loy def Flo 26-24, 25-22, 20-25, 22-25, 15-8

 Consolation - lo round 2

 TFalls over Bigfork 3-1

TF def Bf 22-25, 25-16, 25-21, 25-11

 Ronan over Eureka 3-2

 Consolation - lo round 1

 Bigfork swept Mission 3-0

 Ronan over Plains 3-2

 2nd round winners bracket

 Florence swept Eureka 3-0

Flo def Eur 25-15, 25-21, 25-16

 Loyola over TFalls 3-1

Loy def TF 19-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-21

 1st round

 Florence swept Bigfork 3-0

Flo def Bf 25-11, 25-22, 25-23

 Eureka def Mission 3-2

 TFalls def Ronan 3-1

 Loyola swept Plains 3-0

Loy def Plains 25-11, 25-19, 25-21

WESTERN C

DIVISIONAL

Butte Maroon

Activity Center

 Harrison 3, Charlo 0

At Butte this past Friday, the Lady Vikings encountered a set of razor sharp claws when the Harrison/Willow Creek Lady Wildcats swept Charlo in straight sets to bring to a close their season. The Lady Vikings held the edge at the defensive end with slightly more digs than their opponent, but got doubled up in the other statistical categories that score points for the team. Charlo’s quintet of seniors Sienna Brown, Shayna Nagy, Lindsey Tryon, Courtney Vaughan and Madison Foust wrapped up their prep volleyball careers as their squad closed out its season with a healthy looking 18-6 record overall.

Harrison def Charlo 25-9, 25-16, 25-11

KILLS - Charlo 13 (Lindsey Tryon 5), HWC 34 (Britt Cooper 28). ACES - Charlo 1 (Brown), HWC 5 (Taya DeFrance 2, Josie Hokanson 2). ASSISTS - Charlo 10 (Roylance 7), HWC 29 (Alecia Panagakis). BLOCKS - Charlo 0, HWC 11 (Cooper 9). DIGS - Charlo 61 (Cheyenne Nagy 16), HWC 59 (DeFrance15). (Fr07Nov14vbdiv-lo2)

Charlo 3, Valley Christian 0

The Lady Vikings captured the opening set against the Lady Eagles, then had a battle on their hands in the second set as they squeezed out a close win that extended into extras 26-24 to take a 2-0 lead. Valley Christian countered in the third set to keep their season alive, but Charlo was able to tether the talons of their grasp as they tried to even the sets at two apiece by winning the fourth set and the match.

Charlo (18-5) advances in the consolation round to engage Harrision/Willow Creek.

Charlo def Valley Christian

KILLS - VC 41 (Cheyenne Jones 29), Charlo 34 (Sienna Brown 14). ACES - VC 7 (Linnea Hill 3), Charlo 9 (Mikaylan Roylance 3). ASSISTS - VC 36 (Lily Schulz 21), Charlo 29 (Roylance 15). BLOCKS - VC 6 (Jones 4), Charlo 5 (L.Tryon 2). DIGS - VC 85 (Tara Messner 20), Charlo (Brown 17). (Fr07Nov14vbdiv-lo1)

Ennis 3, Charlo 0

At Butte last Thursday, there was little horsing around on the part of the Lady Mustangs of Ennis as they swept the Lady Vikings in straight sets. Charlo pushed Ennis in the opening set, hanging with them into the 20s, but thereafter had trouble foraging into the teens during the following sets. The Lady Vikings had more than twice as many digs as the Lady Mustangs, but Ennis also had more than twice as many spikes as Charlo. Those disparities are indicative that Ennis spent the lions share of the time on the offensive, which kept Charlo on the defensive heels trying to keep the aggressors from scoring too many points at their expense.

With the loss, Charlo (17-5) drops into consolation round action with an opportunity to recalibrate for a stronger showing in subsequent tournament action.

Ennis def Charlo 25-21, 25-12, 25-14

KILLS - Charlo 18 (Sienna Brown 6), Ennis 41 (Laney McNally 21). ACES - Charlo 0, Ennis 7 (Brigit Croy 3). ASSISTS - Charlo 15 (Roylance 8), Ennis 36 (Makenzie Moen 18). BLOCKS - Charlo 6 (Roylance 2, Ennis na. DIGS - Charlo 88 (S.Nagy 15), Ennis 42 (Moen 9). (Th06Nov14vbdiv-rnd1)

 Eichert 10, Lewandowski 7, Dubois 5, Charlo 4, Scott 2, Old Coyote 2), Eureka 117 (Evynn Anderson 38). (Th06Nov14vbdiv-rnd1)

WESTERN A

DIVISIONAL

Libby, MT

Libby 3,

Polson 0

In their last season competing among the Class A ranks, the host Lady Loggers completed a rare season trifecta with a straight set sweep against the Lady Pirates to give them their third win over Polson this Fall. the Lady Pirates pushed Libby into the 20s twice that sandwiched a high teens performance in the middle, but couldn’t counter the net play and service line savvy of the tournament hosts on their home court. Libby has led the rest of the conference at the service line by multiple dozens in seasonal team totals and their precision was equally effective in this encounter.

In a plot twist of ironic proportions, senior defensive specialist/libero Libby Clay pushed her cumulative digs total past the dual century threshold against a team that coincidentally happens to also be named Libby!

Polson (7-9) wrapped up its season with the same place in the standings after the divisional tournament.

Libby def Polson 25-20, 25-18, 25-23

KILLS - Libby 44 (Hailley Moe 14, Devon Gallagher 9, Hailey Craig 8), Polson 21 (Haley Fyant 12). ACES - Libby 14 (Hannah England 5), Polson 3 (). ASSISTS - Libby 44 (England 39), Polson 16 (Jaiden Toth 16). BLOCKS - Libby 3 (Staci Regh, Cierra Stewart, Moe), Polson 7 (Fyant 2, Taylor Rost 2). DIGS - Libby 85 (Mahalah Wedel 24, Moe 17), Polson 65 (Libby Clay 15, Lydia Dupuis 12).

(Sa08Nov14vbdiv-lo)

C Falls 3,

Polson 0

In their second game of the afternoon last Friday, the top-seeded WildKats dominated the Lady Pirates in every statistical category with the exception of defensive digs, where Polson has been tops in the conference most of the season. The point tally disparity in the offensive categories was enough to account for the gaps in scoring reflected between each set, but the spread itself can be traced to the net play dominance of the Kat front line which averages close to six feet regardless of rotation. Polson pushed the conference crown Kats into the 20s in the second set, but that would be as close as they could get.

Polson (7-8) slips into consolation round action against Libby for an opportunity to keep their postseason prospects alive.

CFalls def Polson 25-16, 25-21, 25-13

KILLS - CF 36 (Ciera Finberg 9, Carla Nicosia 9, Kiara Burlage 7, Winter Kemppainen 6), Polson 27 (Haley Fyant 7, Chadelle Smith 6). ACES - CF 11 (Cydney Finberg 4, Burlage 3), Polson 1 (Jaiden Toth). ASSISTS - CF 33 (Cyd Finberg 28, Polson 23 (Toth 23). BLOCKS - CF 8 (Ci.Finberg 2, Cyd Finberg 2, Nicosia 2, Kemppainen 2), Polson 2 (Smith, Toth). DIGS - CF 35 (Kemppainen 8, Cyd Finberg 7, Shaylene Fishel 7), Polson 52 (Libby Clay 19, Sarah Rausch 10).

(Fr07Nov14vbdiv-rnd2)

Polson 3,

Whitefish 0

After these two teams split the regular season with both games going the distance for five full sets 3-2, the Lady Pirates worked with greater efficiency this time around as they dispatched the Lady Bulldogs in straight sets this past Friday. The dynamic defensive diggin dynamos of Polson were in top form as they excavated out over six dozen digs, while the nemeses at the nets pounded down over three dozen spikes.

Polson (7-7) squared their overall record in the process and advanced to challenge the top-seeded Columbia Falls WildKats.

Polson def Whitefish 25-23, 25-15, 25-20

KILLS - Polson 38 (Chadelle Smith 12, Haley Fyant 7), Wf 21 (Myndi Holbrook 8, Allie Schulz 6). ACES - Polson 14 (Lauren Lefthand 4, Jaiden Toth 3), Wf 7 (Libby Nagler 4, Ellie Dewan 3). ASSISTS - Polson 21 (Toth 19), Wf 19 (Schulz 12, Nagler 5). BLOCKS - Polson 2 (Smith 2), Wf 4 (Holbrook 2). DIGS - Polson 76 (Libby Clay 18, Toth 16, Lydia Dupuis 15), Wf 57 (Schulz 14, Maura Kalbfleisch 10, Nagler 10).

(Fr07Nov14vbdiv-rnd1)