Hawks finish season at state

The Blue Hawk volleyball team wrapped up their season at the state tournament in Bozeman last week, going 2-1 with Class B competition.

"We had a great weekend," Coach Sandra Kazmierczak said. "The girls competed well at state and overall we had one of the best seasons."

Thompson Falls opened the tournament against the Broadwater County Bulldogs on Thursday. The Hawks fell in three straight to the Bulldogs of Townsend, 8-25, 17-25 and 22-25. Leading the Hawks in their first match of the state tournament was senior Avery Burgess with 10 kills, seven set assists, one block and nine digs. Ellie Baxter contributed seven digs, one block, 10 set assists and four kills, while Natalie Roberts had one ace and one dig, Cheyla Irvine served up three aces and had nine digs, and Blakely Lakko added one set assist.

From there, Thompson Falls moved to the consolation bracket in a loser-out match with Glasgow in the second day of competition at Montana State University's Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. The Blue Hawks had a renewed energy as they kept their state tournament going with a four-set win over the Scotties, 25-21, 25-22, 16-25, 25-18. Burgess was on fire at the net with 23 kills and eight set assists, adding one ace and 10 digs to her stats against Glasgow. Roberts led Thompson Falls with three aces, had 11 kills, 18 digs and two blocks. Finn Walsh had three blocks, Cheyla Irvine 10 digs and Ellie Baxter five kills and a team-leading 30 set assists.

"Broadwater is a good program," Kazmierczak said. "Against Glasgow, our girls were much more relaxed. These kids have given it their all throughout the season."

The Hawks moved on to face Colstrip later in the day Friday, and though each set was head-to-head between the two Class B teams, Colstrip pulled away with a three-set win over the Hawks, 17-25, 22-25, 22-25.

In their final match of the season, Baxter led the team with three blocks and 17 set assists, Burgess had 17 digs, seven set assists and 16 kills, Roberts added one ace, five kills and seven digs, Walsh and Gabi Hannum each had two blocks and Hannum a team-leading two aces, and Irvine had one ace and 14 digs.

"I'm very happy with how much the girls improved throughout the season," Coach Kazmierczak said. "They came together and played well in the postseason." She noted that her seniors were good role models for the younger players. "They led by example. They are hard workers and that's good for the younger kids to see."

Kazmierczak said her favorite part of the season was that the players were always excited to practice. "It was a fun group to coach. They always showed some excitement. Our girls know how to rise to the occasion."

Kazmierczak is already looking forward to next volleyball season, but she is proud of what her team did this year, making it to the statement tournament for the third straight year. "They are good athletes and they are a good team, but most of all they were enjoying what they were doing."