The Columbia Falls Wildkats rallied back from the consolation bracket and challenged Belgrade in two matches for the Class A volleyball state championship in Bozeman last weekend.
Belgrade held off the Wildkats 25-18, 25-14, 25-9 to claim the championship. Columbia Falls earned runner-up, one of its best finishes as a program.
The Wildkats defeated Frenchtown in the third-place contest, 20-25, 25-23, 26-24, 25-19 to advance to the title match. Columbia Falls beat Belgrade 27-25, 25-22, 25-27, 19-25, 15-13 to force a second match.
At the Class AA state tournament, both Flathead and Glacier dropped out on the second day of competition. Glacier won its first-round match against Billings West, 25-13, 25-12, 25-14 before falling to Billings Senior, 25-21, 25-18, 25-20. In the consolation bracket, Helena Capital eliminated the Wolfpack 25-17, 14-25, 13-25, 27-25, 15-10.
Billings Senior dropped Flathead in its opener, 20-25, 25-16, 25-13, 25-18 and then Billings Skyview eliminated the Bravettes 25-20, 25-16, 25-15.
Billings Senior defeated Billings Skyview 25-20, 25-14, 25-10 to win its third consecutive championship.