Lady Hawks surge to 3rd in Western B tourney

Saving their very best for last, the Thompson Falls Lady Hawks were the upset queens of the Western B divisional volleyball tournament in Florence last week and very nearly earned a trip to the State B tournament this week in Bozeman with their efforts.

Coach Sandra Kazmierczak and her Lady Hawks were the talk of the Western B after scoring huge wins over Deer Lodge and Anaconda Thursday to advance to the undefeated semifinal with favored Florence Friday evening.

After falling to Florence in that match, the Hawks then lost to Deer Lodge in five tough sets Saturday morning and settled for third place in the division. Florence and Deer Lodge advance on to the State B meet, part of the Montana All-Class volleyball event in Bozeman, beginning Thursday.

Kazmierczak was not surprised that her girls played so well in Florence last week. The Lady Hawks played their best of the season when it meant the most.

"This group just loves volleyball, they love to compete," she said. "We had a great Thursday in defeating Deer Lodge and then Anaconda, and then we played Florence well, too. We made them work for it and that was good to see."

Undefeated in Western B action this season, the Falcons will be the division's torch-bearers in Bozeman. "I am hoping they do well," Kazmierczak said. "I am taking a few girls over there to watch it and we will be pulling for the western teams."

Next year at this time, Kazmierczak hopes to be taking the Hawks to Bozeman to play in the biggest volleyball show in Montana. Of this year's team, only Maya Stiles and Sarah Detlaff are seniors, meaning the Hawks will have a solid core to build on in 2019. Stiles and Detlaff were part of the last Thompson Falls team to make it to State in 2016, and that team pulled down the third place trophy, the only hardware a Sanders County team has ever won at that level of play.

"That's why we are going over there, so they can see what it is like," she said. "I want them to be thinking about what it takes to get there, and how great it is to play in the state tournament."

The Hawks had a tournament to remember at the Western B in Florence last week.

The Falls ladies started out with a 16-25, 25-12, 25-20, 25-21 win over Deer Lodge Thursday.

Scarlette Schwindt put the hammer down on 16 kills, blocked a shot and hit 22 digs in that match, Jody Detlaff added 12 kills and four blocks, Belle Cooper knocked down eight kills and five blocks, Brooke Bowlin hit eight Ks and 12 digs, and Riley Wilson had 35 set assists and 19 digs.

Alyssa Lamb hit nine kills, Sophia Barton 21 digs, and Jessie Gravely three blocks for Deer Lodge.

Back on court later Friday, the Hawks downed Anaconda 25-18, 25-22, 27-25 to gain the semifinals.

Schwindt keyed the win with 12 kills and 13 digs, Jody Detlaff added nine kills and three blocks, Bowlin seven kills, seven digs and two aces, Sarah Detalff three service aces and seven digs, Stiles 11 digs and Wilson 25 set assists.

Facing off with Florence Friday evening, the Hawks fell 25-10, 25-17, 25-19 in that match.

Schwindt had five kills and 17 digs, Bowlin five kills and 14 digs, Jody Detlaff four kills and a block, Stiles 16 digs and Wilson 13 assists.

Shannon Byrne led Florence with 11 kills, Hallie Christopherson hit 30 assists, and Sarah Hopcroft four service aces and 13 digs.

Meeting Deer Lodge a second time in three days Saturday, the Hawks got off to a slow start and eventually fell 25-5, 19-25, 25-21, 23-25, 15-11.

Bowlin bashed 19 kills, hit four aces and came up with 13 digs in that match, Schwindt added 13 kills, nine aces and 15 digs, Jody Detlaff had nine kills and three blocks, Cooper nine kills and three blocks, Stiles two aces and 18 digs and Wilson 43 set assists and 11 digs.

Kazmierzcak was happy with how her Lady Hawks competed in Florence.

"That is why you work hard all season, to put yourself in position for the tournaments," she said. "And our girls came to play in Florence, I am very proud of how they performed."