Libby volleyball team qualifies for state

The Libby High School volleyball team powered to a 21-25, 26-24, 26-24, 27-25 victory over Polson on Friday night in the semifinals of the Northwestern A Divisional Tournament.

The win advances the Lady Loggers into Saturday's championship match and guaranteed LHS a trip to the state playoffs as one of the top two teams out of the tournament.

Polson cruised through the Northwestern A schedule during the regular season and had defeated Libby in three straight games a couple of weeks ago. But Libby battled to come from behind in each game and pulled it out in four.

Libby advanced to the semifinals earlier Friday with a win over Whitefish in the opening round.

Polson will be favored to work its way back to the championship match, which is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at Ralph Tate Gymnasium. If Libbby falls in that match, second championship would be played at approximately 7 p.m.

A quick capsule look at Friday night's Libby-Polson matchup:

Game 1

Score: Polson, 25-21

Lead Changes: 1

Biggest Polson Lead: 5 (16-11, 17-12, 19-14, 21-16, 23-18)

Biggest Libby Lead: None

Longest Scoring Run: Libby, 3 (2 occasions – Alysha Martin, Katie Emery serving)

It Was Over When … Polson came out of a late timeout and scored on a Nicole Davey kill for a 24-21 lead.

Game 2

Score: Libby, 26-24

Lead Changes: 2

Biggest Polson Lead: 8 (10-2)

Biggest Libby Lead : 2 (26-24)

Longest Scoring Run: Libby, 7 (Jackie Mee serving)

It Was Over When … Libby’s Mee scored with a hit on the soft touch over Polson defenders and then the Pirates couldn’t handle Alex Kulbeck’s serve.

Game 3

Score: Libby, 26-24

Lead Changes: 2

Biggest Polson Lead: 4 (7-3)

Biggest Libby Lead: 3 (22-19, 23-20, 24-21)

Longest Scoring Run: Libby, 4 (Mee serving)

It Was Over When … Mee scored on game point with a dink over the top of the Polson defense.

Game 4

Score: Libby, 27-25

Lead Changes: 3

Biggest Polson Lead: 3 (9-6)

Biggest Libby Lead: 6 (16-10)

Longest Scoring Run : Libby, 8 (Kulbeck serving); Polson, 8 (McCrea serving)

It Was Over When … Polson hit its final two kill attempts just past the back line. The two points went to Libby to take the match in four games.

For a complete roundup of the tournament, see the Nov. 11 edition of The Western News or check back online.