Libby derailed in Class A Championship

Winning their first game of the Class A State volleyball match against Laurel 3-1, Libby eventually took fourth after being bounced to the losers' bracket by the team who ended up taking the Class A throne, Lewiston.

Central A champion Lewiston (25-1) defeated the Northwestern A champs Libby in Thursday's quarterfinal match in three games, 25-19, 25-21, 25-21, hours after the Loggers beat their first opponent, Laurel, in four games, 25-9, 20-25, 25-18, 25-20 at Montana State University.

After beating Miles City and losing to Whitefish, Lewiston eventually beat Whitefish to claim the Class A State Title in five matches, 19-25, 25-17, 26-24, and 25-23.

"I was very pleased with the way we started off," said Ostrem-Johnston. "We came out strong and confident in the first game, but faltered in the second game. Then we re-grouped and won the next two."

Against Laurel, Megan Wedel made 16 of Libby's 47 digs.

"She had a phenomenal match," said Ostrem-Johnston of Wedel, "she was all over the place, digging and passing."

Wedel, Brooke Hageness and Crysta Quinn each made 2 of their team's 8 aces. Shelby Barton made 40 of the 46 assists.

Hageness led in kills with 15 of 52. Laice Dedrick also made 13 kills and Jackie Mee made 11. Dedrick had a .346 attack percentage.

"We had three hitters contributing in double digits, so that was good," said Ostrem-Johnston.

Of the 37 digs, Dedrick made 12. The team served 87 percent with a .284 attack percentage, "OK" in Ostrem-Johnston's book.

Laurel's coach, Mark Little, got his start as an assitant coach at Libby, helping the team to state in 1997.

"We have some history there," said Ostrem-Johnston of Little. "I really enjoyed having him on our team."

Ostrem-Johnston commented that the noise and positioning of the four all-class volleyball matches played simultaneously in MSU's Brick Breeden Fieldhouse made it hard to see the fans or even communicate with her players.

"It's loud in there and distracting," she said. "I couldn't even talk loud enough in the huddles because of the noise in the gym."

With only an 84 percent serving percentage and a .130 attack percentage, Ostrem-Johnston said that mistakes at inopportune times contributed to their loss to Lewiston, who went on to win the state title.

"About half our players were struggling with our game," said Ostrem-Johnston. "It was unintentional - the girls went over there with their hearts set on the state championship."

Although the Loggers led early in the first game, 8-3, and came as close as 19-20 in the second game, the two losses disheartened the players.

"We made a run and never closed the gap," said Ostrem-Johnston, adding "there's no excuses, but we had a tough draw going into the tournament. We happened to have them in our bracket right off the bat…But if you're going to be the best, you have to beat the best, and that didn't happen."

Of 8 aces, Barton had 2. Both Wedel and Mee served 100 percent, with Mee leading in kills at 10 of 36 and a .353 attack percentage. Hageness made 8 kills.

Of 33 assists, Barton had 32 and three of Libby's 6 aces.

Mee made 10 kills out of 36. Quinn had 2 of the 3 blocks for Libby.

Dedrick made 12 digs and Hageness had 10.

Libby bounced to the losers' bracket, playing Miles City on Friday, defeating them 28-26, 16-25, 25-10, 25-11.

"We started out behind 5-8 in the first game, then tied it up 20-20," said Ostrem-Johnston. The Loggers went on to win the first game, and were tied at 10 in the second game before losing it.

Serving 87 percent, Ostrem-Johnston said "the pressure got on them back at the serving line."

All except Nichole Newman, who made 8 of Libby's nine aces, making 24 of her 26 serves - or 92 percent.

"She really got on a roll," said Ostrem-Johnston. "She had a good match."

Libby prevailed in the last two games against Miles City.

"The third and fourth game we controlled very well. We really got after it," said Ostrem-Johsnton.

Of Libby's 45 kills, Dedrick made 15 and Hageness had 14.

Barton made 29 of the 39 assists. Out of Libby's 6 blocks, Mee and Barton made 3 each.

Hageness led in digs with 23 of Libby's 75 digs. Wedel had 18 and Dedrick had 17.

"We were digging a lot of balls that match," said Ostrem-Johnston. "All three of them dug and passed well."

Ostrem-Johnston was happy with the team's 2.40 serve/receive/ratio.

But after beating Miles City at 4 p.m., hours later Libby fell to the team they had beaten five times before - including the week before to claim the Northwestern Conference title - Whitefish.

The Lady Loggers lost in three heart wrenching games, receiving fourth in the overall competition.

"I don't know if they were feeling a lot of pressure because we'd beaten them five times already," said Ostrem-Johnston. "They knew Whitefish played tough - but the odds are, when you play another good team, it's tough to keep winning. The odds are against you to win them all."

The first game Libby led throughout the game, 18-14, 19-17, 22-19, but Whitefish overtook them 24-22 at the end.

The second game Libby came back from an 11-17 deficit to tie it at 19. But with the Loggers within one point of the game, they lost to Whitefish, 24-20.

"That's just a bummer," said Ostrem-Johnston of the games. "I think that what happened was we should have won the first two, and it got in their heads. They took the wind out of our sails."

Whitefish won the third match, 25-15.

Ostrem-Johnston said Whitefish played perfectly, doing the same thing to Havre.

"We couldn't do anything right and they couldn't do anything wrong," she said. "We had a tough time getting the balls to our hitters. They played great defense. We were playing too much defense and giving them too many opportunites."

Of Libby's 57 digs, Wedel led with 16 and Dedrick had 15.

Libby's 6 aces were all split between Barton, with 2 at 100 percent, and Mee, who served 91 percent.

The team's serving percentage was at 88 percent, with a weak attack percentage at 100 percentage, according to Ostrem-Johnston.

Dedrick led with 12 of Libby's 34 kills, and Barton made 30 of their 32 assists. Barton and Mee each made two blocks assists for the team's two blocks.

"It was a tough way to end an incredible season," said Ostrem-Johnston. "That's what we need to focus on - an incredible season. We were undefeated, divisional champs and second at the Missoula tournament."

Ostrem-Johnston said it's one of the best years she has had coaching, and she, like her players, couldn't believe the season was actually over.

"I was dreading it, too. I was in shock in the locker room when we lost to Whitefish," she said. "I couldn't believe that was it."

But Ostrem-Johnston continued "It was neat to hear the girls say, I can't believe it's over," she said. "To me, that's a really good sign that they enjoyed the season."

Ostrem-Johnston noted the amazing parental support, thanking them, the administration and fans, including Rosauers, who donated sandwiches for the team.

Ostrem-Johnston added that the seniors hoped some of the younger kids learn how important treating each other with respect is.

"It's a big part of your success," she said, adding "It was an incredible season - it just went by too fast."