The top-ranked Billings Senior Lady Broncs capped their perfect volleyball season by beating Flathead in the Class AA state championship match in Bozeman on Saturday.
The Lady Broncs won 25-23, 25-12 and 25-9 and claimed the program’s tenth state title and first since 2008. They finished 32-0.
Flathead still has plenty to be proud of this season. The Bravettes were perfect in conference matches this season for the first time ever. They won the Western AA title for only the third time and advanced to state for the tenth-straight year. Flathead brought home a second-place trophy from state, the program’s best finish since 2006 when the team also earned second.
After losing out to Helena Capital, Glacier finished the season 19-8. The Wolfpack advanced to state for the third year in a row.
All-conference teams, which were selected by coaches, were announced following the tournament.
Flathead had five players earn first-team honors — seniors Cassie Krueger, Emily Russell and Kwyn Johnson and juniors Emma Andrews and Iris Matulevich. Glacier had three — senior Kailea Vaudt, junior Cassi Hashley and sophomore Hannah Liss. Glacier also had two players earned second-team honors — seniors Rachel Chery and Tiffany Marks.
All-state teams will be announced next week.
In Class A, Columbia Falls lost out in two matches at the state tournament. Laurel beat Frenchtown in the championship. All-conference and all-state teams have not been announced yet.
In Class B, Huntley Project defeated Red Lodge in two sets to win the championship.
Postseason honors were announced and three players from District 7B made all-state. Hope Reid and Kelsey Fitchett from Thompson Falls and Cassidy Morgan from Eureka earned top honors.
For all-conference, Thompson Falls had three first-team selections — Reid, Fitchett and Allison Vaught. Morgan and teammate Jenna Peterson were also first-team along with Troy’s Michaela Curry. Bigfork’s Tessa Robertson earned second-team honors along with Troy’s Jordan Williams, Holli Higgins and Kellie Lundin, Plains’ Felicia Earhart and Thompson Falls’ Logan Beckman.