Lady Pirates fall short of clinching state berth in C-Falls

COLUMBIA FALLS — The Polson Lady Pirates’ volleyball team’s quest to claim a berth in the Class A state playoffs fell just short in their loss to Corvallis at the Divisionals Saturday at Columbia Falls High School. 

Though the Lady Pirates fell short of its quest to clinch a state title, coach Patty Luetzen said she was “happy” with her team’s performance given several circumstances they faced with injury.

“Our season was up and down with losing Chadelle at the start of the season,” Luetzen said. “I think we peaked and we gave it the best we’ve had. We were able to roll with the punches, adapt, and the girls played their best, even when you have teams like Corvallis, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls. Dillon is a scrappy team, also. Our girls gave it their best shot. I saw some of their best play this weekend and they never gave up.”

Luetzen said she felt her team could have played “more consistent” this season but said several injuries, illnesses, and last minute lineup adjustments made it “difficult” for the Lady Pirates to establish the type of consistency they needed too.

“I wish we would have been able to be more consistent the entire year,” Luetzen said. “We would have been able to capitalize more on a system but we had players that were out with injuries and illnesses. There were times we weren’t sure about our lineup. When you are in that situation, you kind of have to hover in a neutral position. All of our players did really well (this season).”

Luetzen said she was “pleased” with the play of her sophomore players all season. In the midst of team turmoil, the sophomores were asked to elevate their level and play several varsity minutes.

Mikaela DuCharme, Kyler Lundeen, and Kaelen Smith all played valuable minutes for the Lady Pirates.

“During the course of a volleyball season, you have to roll with the events and kind of neutralize them,” Luetzen said. “I felt like we were able to weather some of those adversities. At the end of the season, several of these younger players really grew up. I am excited about everyone that is coming back next season.”

Western A Divisional in Columbia Falls

Thursday-Saturday, November 3-5, 2016

Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016

Match 1

Dillon downs Polson in five-set match

Dillon won its first-round matchup against Polson in a five-set doozy, 25-12, 18-25, 25-22, 28-30, 15-8.

Kylie Christiansen’s team-high 13 kills helped bolster the Beavers’ total kills to 41. Bailey Berriochoa added 30 of Dillon’s 34 digs, and Kyndall Petersen had a team-high five aces. Polson had 60 kills. Haley Fyant had a huge game with 33 kills, 2 aces and 13 digs. Hannah Fryberger led Polson with 5 aces.

Dillon def. Polson, 25-12, 18-25, 25-22, 28-30, 15-8

Kills - Dillon 41 (Kylie Christiansen 13) Polson 60 (Haley Fyant 33, Lauren Lefthand 13, Hannah Fryberger 12). Blocks - Dillon 3 (Nicole Hritsco 2) Polson 2. Digs - Dillon 61 (Brynley Fitzgerald 17) Polson 56 (Kyler Lundeen 25, Haley Fyant 13, Kaelyn Smith 8). Assists - Dillon 34 (Bailey Berriochoa 30) Polson 60 (Kaelyn Smith 49). Aces - Dillon 12 (Kyndall Petersen 5) Polson 10 (Hannah Fryberger 5, Haley Fyant 2).

Match 2

Polson extends season with 3-1 win over Frenchtown

Polson stayed alive in the Western A Divisional bracket with a four-set win against Frenchtown, 25-15, 23-25, 29-27, 25-20. Haley Fyant led the way with 24 kills and Hannah Fryberger and Kaelyn Smith combined for 15 aces.

The Pirates eliminated Frenchtown, and Polson will face Stevensville in a Friday loser-out match at noon.

No stats were available for Frenchtown.

Kills - Polson 45 (Haley Fyant 24, Hannah Fryberger 9, Lauren Lefthand 7) Frenchtown ( ). Blocks - Polson 1 (Kaelyn Smith 1) Frenchtown ( ). Digs - Polson 39 (Kyler Lundeen 21, Haley Fyant 7) Frenchtown ( ). Assists - Polson 45 (Kaelyn Smith 36) Frenchtown ( ). Aces - Polson 18 (Hannah Fryberger 8, Kaelyn Smith 7) Frenchtown ( ).

Match 3

Polson comes back to beat Stevi in four sets

Polson stayed alive with a four-set win over Stevensville, 20-25, 25-19, 25-18, 27-25.

The Pirates held a 19-7 advantage in serving aces that helped lead to the win. Hannah Fryberger finished with six perfect serves to lead Polson, and Haley Fyant added a team-high 18 kills.

Stevensville’s Mariah Hinson led all hitters with 20 kills in the loss. Quinn Larson had all 30 of the Yellowjackets’ assists.

Polson def. Stevensville 20-25, 25-19, 25-18, 27-25

Kills - Stevensville 39 (Mariah Hinson 20), Polson 42 (Haley Fyant 18). Assists - Stevensville 30 (Quinn Larson 30), Polson 25 (Kaelyn Smith 24). Blocks - Stevensville 16 (Tilly Grooms 6), Polson 1 (Lauren Lefthand 1). Digs - Stevensville 57 (Cassi Kopsa 17), Polson 43 (Kyler Lundeen 24). Aces - Stevensville 7 (Kopsa 2, Abby Austin 2, Mikayla Hall 2), Polson 19 (Hannah Fryberger 6).

Match 4

Corvallis captures win against Polson, state berth

The Blue Devils secured a spot in the Class A state tournament with a close four-set win against Polson, 25-20, 25-12, 20-25, 25-23.

Genesis Keith and Maureen Jessop each scored double-figure kills to lead Corvallis to the win. Keith finished with 12 and Jessop had 10. The two also finished with two blocks apiece and Jessop scored team highs in digs and aces.

Polson’s Kyler Lundeen slowed Corvallis’ attack with 33 of her team’s 74 digs. Pirate Senior outside hitter Haley Fyant once again led Polson with 17 kills and 2.5 blocks. The Senior had a total of 92 kills for the 4 divisional tournament games. The Pirates, though, were eliminated from the Western A tournament.

Corvallis def. Polson 25-20, 25-12, 20-25, 25-23

Kills - Corvallis 36 (Genesis Keith 12, Maureen Jessop 10), Polson 30 (Hayley Fyant 17). Blocks - Corvallis 5 (Keith 2, Jessop 2), Polson 5 (Fyant 2.5, Lauren Lefthand 2). Assists - Corvallis 31 (Kate Hurlburt 29), Polson 30 (Kaelyn Smith 26). Digs - Corvallis 69 (Jessop 14, Hurlburt 12), Polson 74 (Kyler Lundeen 33). Aces - Corvallis 15 (Jessop 5, Kurlburt 4), Polson 11 (Smith 5, Fyant 3).

-Bob Gunderson contributed to this article