Whitefish’s girls volleyball team made it to the state championship game yet again with a victory over Libby on Friday, but lost to Lewistown 3-1 in the title match on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs were going for their fourth straight Class A championship and sixth in the last seven years. Whitefish didn’t make it easy for Lewistown, barely losing the final two games 26-24 and 25-23. The Bulldogs’ win over Libby in the semifinals was their first victory over the Loggers out of six meetings this year.
The Flathead Bravettes finished third at the Class AA state volleyball tournament after losing to Billings West 3-0 early Saturday afternoon. West went to play two-time defending champion Billings Senior in the state final on Saturday evening. Flathead opened up the tournament by losing to West in the first round, only to rebound and win three straight matches against Missoula Sentinel, Helena Capital and Billings Skyview. Then West ended Flathead’s season by defeating the Bravettes for the second time in three days.
Also on Saturday, Montana quarterback Cole Bergquist led the the Grizzlies to a 27-14 victory over Idaho State. Montana standout running back and Kalispell native Lex Hilliard sat out of the game with a hand injury. In Portland, Ore., Montana State had a huge fourth quarter en route to a 50-36 win over Portland State.