Polson takes fourth, Ronan seventh at Tip-Off

by BRANDON HANSEN For the Leader
| September 5, 2024 12:00 AM

Polson took fourth at the SWA/NWA Tip-Off Tournament in Frenchtown Aug. 29-30, while Ronan took seventh.

The annual early-season matchup of western volleyball teams gives an early view of conference hierarchy.

Frenchtown defeated Bigfork for first place in the tournament, while Hamilton defeated Polson for third place. Ronan defeated Corvallis for seventh place in the tournament.

The Lady Pirates lost to Hamilton 25-15, 25-19 in pool play while splitting with Dillon 25-19, 17-25. Polson defeated Butte Central 25-9 and 25-13 and split with first place Frenchtown 21-25, 25-23.

Polson defeated Corvallis 25-16, 25-15 and Stevensville 25-13, 25-11. Polson, Ronan, and Columbia Falls finished tied with Bigfork for the best record in NWA in pool play at 8-4.

Ronan defeated Dillon 25-22, 25-23, and Butte Central 25-18, 25-17. The Maidens fell to Frenchtown 25-14, 25-12 but took down Corvallis 25-21, 25-14. Ronan also defeated Stevensville 25-24, 25-17 but lost to Hamilton 25-22, 25-12.

2024 SWA/NWA Tip-Off Tournament

Frenchtown MS/HS Gyms

Friday-Saturday, August 29-30

Seeded matches

#1s – Frenchtown def. Bigfork (1st place);

#2s – Hamilton def. Polson (3rd place);

#3s – Dillon def. Columbia Falls (5th place);

#4s – Ronan def. Corvallis (7th place);

#5s – Whitefish def. Stevensville (9th place);

#6s – Libby def. Butte Central (11th place).

LADY PIRATES (+53 pd) – Hamilton def. Polson 25-15, 25-19; Polson split w/ Dillon 25-19, 17-25; Polson def. Butte Central 25-9, 25-13; Polson split w/ Frenchtown 21-25, 25-23; Polson def. Corvallis 25-16, 25-15; Polson def. Stevensville 25-13, 25-11.

MAIDENS (+6 pd) – Ronan def. Dillon 25-22, 25-23; Ronan def. Butte Central 25-18, 25-17; Frenchtown def. Ronan 25-14, 25-12; Ronan def. Corvallis 25-21, 25-14; Ronan def. def. Stevensville 25-24, 25-17; Hamilton def. Ronan 25-22, 25-12.

Pool play records

NWA – Bigfork (8-4), Polson (8-4), Columbia Falls (8-4), Ronan (8-4), Whitefish (7-5), Libby (2-10), Browning (1-11).

SWA – Frenchtown (13-1), Hamilton (12-2), Dillon (8-6), Corvallis (3-11), Stevensville (3-11), Butte Central (3-11)