Libby qualifies for state volleyball tournament

The Western News

The Lady Loggers are headed to state.

The Libby High School volleyball team cruised into the Northwestern A divisional tournament’s championship match Friday with back-to-back sweeps over Polson and Whitefish. With the finish no lower than runner-up guaranteed, Libby has punched its ticket to the state tournament.

The Lady Loggers’ opponent in the tournament finale at Polson is to be determined. Libby could face Bigfork, Ronan or Polson. The championship match is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday.

Libby opened the tournament on Friday by clubbing Whitefish, 25-17, 25-22, 25-17. Junior Jackie Mee had 11 kills and six blocks while Devon Hoyer added seven kills and 10 digs in the victory. Evi Cernick and Jordan Refsland had 11 and 10 set assists, respectively. That same pair also had four aces apiece.

With the victory, Libby advanced to face the host school – Polson.

Mee had 17 kills and 16 digs in the 25-19, 25-19, 25-19 win. Refsland had a team-high 15 assists and added two serving aces. Genesea Meha also had a pair of aces and Alex Kulbeck had three blocks.

Under the double-elimination format, if unbeaten Libby falls at 5 p.m., a second championship match would be played.

Northwest A Divisional Tournament

Thursday’s Results

Whitefish def. Columbia, 3-2

Polson def. Ronan, 3-0

Friday’s Results

Libby def. Whitefish, 3-0

Polson def. Bigfork, 3-2

Ronan def. Whitefish, 3-1

Bigfork def. Columbia Falls, 3-0

Libby def. Polson, 3-0

Saturday’s Schedule

1 p.m. – Bigfork (12-3) vs. Ronan (3-15)

3 p.m. – Bigfork-Ronan winner vs. Polson (11-5)

5 p.m. – Bigfork/Ronan/Polson vs. Libby (11-3)

7 p.m. – Second championship match, if necessary