Bluehawks rally past the Lady Loggers

The Lady Loggers squandered a 2-1 set lead and got pounded by the Thompson Falls Bluehawks in nonconference volleyball action Tuesday night.

The Loggers opened up an 8-1 lead in the first set and even led 23-18 before giving up the last seven points, losing 25-23. At times, Libby looked as good as they had all year with 13 kills and four aces, but it couldn’t stop Shasta Wilson’s game-winning serve streak.  

They bounced back in the next two sets winning handily in both, 25-17 and 25-19, but the Lady Loggers weren’t able to maintain their early precision and the Bluehawks took full advantage. Logan Beckman led the way with 13 of the Bluehawks’ 42 kills as Thompson Falls doubled up the Loggers, 25-12 and 15-8, in the last two sets.  

Head Coach Cindy Ostrem-Johnston was searching for an answer after the game.

“I’m not sure how we couldn’t manage to win two more points in that first set,” she said. “That had a huge effect on how the match played out.”

The match featured several long rallies and great defensive plays. The Lady Loggers had 111 digs on the night – 48 by Libby’s defensive specialist, Mahalah Wedel. Libby began play in the Missoula Invitational Tourney on Thursday.

Kills – T. Falls 42 (Beckman 13), Libby 45 (Devon Gallagher 13); Blocks – T. Falls 15 (Shey Hannum 6), Libby 1 (Gallagher, Hannah England 1); Assists – T. Falls 40 (Erica Sorlie 25), Libby 44 (England 40); Digs – T. Falls 77 (Wilson 16), Libby 111 (Wedel 48); Aces – T. Falls 16 (Hannum 4), Libby 11 (England 4)