Wedel digs way to record as Libby spikes Whitefish

The Lady Loggers evened up their conference record at 3-3 with a four-set victory against Whitefish, featuring a record-setting performance by Mahalah Wedel, who recorded 52 digs in the contest.

It was a match full of long rallies fueled by hustling dives and digs from both teams. The Bulldogs came out on top in the first set, 25-23, by forcing the Loggers to earn each point. While Libby had 17 kills in the first set, they also had eight attack errors to Whitefish’s two.  

The Lady Loggers got rolling in the second set from the service line with six of their 12 aces to propel them to the 25-18 win. The third set was marked by long scoring streaks by both teams. Early in the set Libby had a 9-2 run, but the Bulldogs responded with an 11-2 blitz of their own to take a 17-13 lead. Three straight kills by Hailley Moe got the Loggers turned around, and they squeaked out the win, 25-23.

The Lady Loggers dominated the final set, jetting out to a 20-8 lead behind the crafty serving of Staci Regh. The feisty Bulldogs closed the gap, but Libby finished them off 25-19.  

Coach Cindy Ostrem-Johnston was excited about her team’s effort and the play of two of her seniors. 

“Anytime you can pick up a win in Whitefish it’s a good one,” Ostrem-Johnston said. “It was a great team effort, but Mahalah Wedel and Hannah England both had a phenomenal match. I like the grit and heart the Loggers showed.” 

Coach Ostrem-Johnston said the senior motto is to go out with a bang, and Wedel definitely made some noise with her 52 digs. Her performance shattered the state all-class record of 37 set by two Huntley Project players in 2008. She also led the Loggers with four aces on the evening. 

In spite of the stalwart Bulldog defense, the Loggers still had a season-high 68 kills in the contest, 16 of them coming from their setter, England. Moe added 15 and Regh has 12. In addition to her 16 kills, England dished out 45 assists. 

“Hannah England has a knack for finding the opponent’s weaknesses and preying on them,” Ostrem-Johnson said. “It is unheard of for a setter to have 16 kills with an incredible .424 attack percentage.”

Columbia Falls (10-1, 8-0) has already clinched the Northwestern A conference. Frenchtown (5-5, 3-3) and Libby (8-3, 3-3), are tied for second-place, and both teams have two conference games left on the schedule. The regular season conference title is out of Lady Loggers grasp, redemption will be possible when they host the divisional tournament starting Nov. 6.

Libby can take a big step toward that goal Saturday when they host Frenchtown, who is hoping to bounce back from a recent tough stretch of injuries. 

Kills – Libby 68 (England 16), Whitefish 29 (Mindi Holbrook 13); Assists – Libby 57 (England 45), Whitefish 23 (Allie Schulz 11);  Blocks – Libby 2 (Devon Gallagher, Regh 2), Whitefish 6 (Holbrook 2); Digs – Libby 124 (Wedel 52), Whitefish 109 (Schulz 19); Aces – Libby 12 (Wedel 4), Whitefish 3