Libby volleyball rolling, set to host divisional

The best fall sports team in Lincoln County plays at home Friday and Saturday with a trip to state on the line. 

The Libby Lady Loggers (10-3, 5-3) volleyball team enters the divisional tournament with eight wins in their last nine regular season contests. Reflecting on her team’s recent hot streak, Libby Coach Cindy Ostrem-Johnston identifies unique challenges to each win.

“In Thompson Falls we went to the fifth set, and Hannah (England) started with great serving to get us up 6-0 in the final set,” Ostrem-Johnston said. “Then we were in Whitefish, we drop the first set and win three straight. That was when Mahalah (Wedel) had her 52 digs for a state record.”

There was the home win against Frenchtown to redeem an early season road loss. Most recently the veteran team held emotions in check to win a Senior Night contest against Polson.

“We’ve played from a range of positions, which is exactly what you want going into the tournament,” Ostrem-Johnston said.

Libby’s first game in the Northwest A Divisional Tournament starts 1 p.m. Friday. In her 22nd season coaching Libby, Ostrem-Johnston still feels butterflies heading into the double-elimination tournament. With seven seniors, she believes the team can rely on its vast experience. 

Entering the tournament as the second seed, Libby must advance to the championship to qualify for the state tournament in Bozeman. Should the bracket play as expected, Libby could face conference champion Columbia Falls (12-1, 8-0) in Saturday’s final.

Expectations were high for the team this year. The young women confidently said their goal was a trip to the state tournament, and there is little reason to believe they cannot achieve that mission. The same collection of athletes that will make Libby a challenger for the state softball championship makes for a pretty nice volleyball team. 

The team counts four senior hitters — Hailey Craig, Hailley Moe, Staci Regh and Devon Gallagher — standing at least five-foot-eight. Each of the seven seniors has at least two years of experience. Spending so much time together, no wonder the girls are close friends.

“They’re like sisters,” Ostrem-Johnston said. “They have their spats and vent about each other. It’s a family atmosphere. I’ve spent a lot of time with these kids, and it’s tough thinking about the season ending. Hopefully it won’t, yet. Practice is the best part of my day.”

Depth in high school volleyball goes a long way. Where other teams may funnel the action toward one player, the Lady Loggers keep opponents guessing. Unpredictability will continue to be a factor in Libby’s contests, but opponents can count on one continuing trend.

“Our biggest weapon has been our aggressive serving,” Ostrem-Johnston said. “We are serving at a high percentage, and we need to keep doing that. I think we will if the girls have fun and stay in the moment.”

Ostrem-Johnston said she hopes for strong attendance during the two-day tournament. With no classes on Friday, she hopes students will still spend the day at the school supporting their peers. She said such support will be key when Libby takes on conference foes in what has been a particularly strong season for the Northwest A Conference. 

“I told the girls to get the word out with their friends and family,” Ostrem-Johnston said. “I don’t want it to end yet.”