Courtney Baker has fond memories of the volleyball court in Bozeman.
In her senior year at Whitefish in 2006, Baker earned MVP and helped the Lady Bulldogs capture the Class A state volleyball championship.
Now as the first-year head coach of the Flathead Bravettes, Baker hopes her talented players can experience that unforgettable achievement for themselves.
“I really want these girls to know that feeling,” Baker said.
Flathead (15-7) earned an automatic bid to this week’s Class AA state tournament in Bozeman as the second-place team in the West. The Bravettes will play the third seed from the East at 4 p.m., Nov. 12.
Missoula Hellgate ended Glacier’s volleyball season in a Class AA play-in match last week. The Knights defeated the Wolfpack 25-19, 26-24, 27-25 in Kalispell to earn a bid to the state tournament.
Nikki Krueger and Abbi Fiske led the Wolfpack in kills with eight apiece. Fiske also led in blocks with three. Abby Schrade had 16 assists and Brietta Russell had 21 digs.
Flathead hasn’t missed a beat under a new head coach. The Bravettes are cruising into the state tournament for the ninth year in a row and have won 10 of the last 11 matches.
“I expected coming in to have some resistance because I hadn’t done anything to earn their respect,” Baker said. “But I came into the gym and they were ready to go. They were all in. It has really been the perfect first year of coaching.”
Flathead has held its own against the best teams in the state, splitting the season series with Missoula Sentinel, the top team from the West, and also splitting with Billings Senior and Bozeman, the top two teams from the East.
“We’ve grown a lot and I think we’ve surprised ourselves with some of those matches,” Baker said. “When we beat Sentinel at home, that was a big moment for all of us. That was a big confidence booster.”
Flathead boasts seven seniors who have played together since seventh grade. That has translated to a noticeable rhythm on the court, and a well-balanced attack that includes top talent on defense and offense.
“We’re really close with each other and it helps with our chemistry a lot. We know each others strengths and weaknesses and how to work together,” said Abbie O’Brien, a senior defensive specialist.
“We know we are able to be one of the top teams.”
Jourdon Schultz, a senior libero, continues to perform as one of the best players in the state. Xio Lopp, another senior standout, has 45 blocks on the season and 61 assists, third most in the West. Tiana Johnson has 146 kills and 77 blocks, second most in the West.
Flathead ranks fourth in Class AA in kills per set with 10.2 on average. The Bravettes are ranked second in blocks per set with 3 on average. Flathead is ranked third in digs per set with 18 on average.
Billings Senior has won three state titles in a row. The Bravettes’ best finish in recent years was second in 2012.
The eight-team double elimination tournament appears to be as closely matched as ever this year.
“It’s cool going back and getting to relive (the state tournament) as a coaching staff. And maybe add this new element,” Baker said.
“It’s going to be a super fun state tournament. In my eyes, it’s a toss up. Anything can happen.”
Class A
It didn’t take long for Jackie Fuller to rebuild the Whitefish volleyball team.
A year after Whitefish went 1-14, Fuller led the Lady Bulldogs to the Class A state tournament with a 12-6 record. Fuller returned to the team after a four-year absence.
Whitefish and Columbia Falls will represent the Northwestern A conference at this week’s state tournament in Bozeman, Nov. 12-14.
The Lady Bulldogs, the fourth seed from the West, will play reigning state champion Belgrade at 10 a.m., Thursday, in the opening match. Columbia Falls (16-3) will take on Billings Central at 2 p.m., Thursday in the opening round.
Butte Central plays Havre and Corvallis takes on Hardin in other action.
Columbia Falls defeated Whitefish 25-19, 25-19, 26-24 at the Western A Divisional Tournament in Hamilton last weekend. Whitefish dealt Columbia Falls its lone loss of the regular season last week leading up to the divisional.
Columbia Falls narrowly lost in last year’s state championship, forcing a second match with Belgrade before falling 25-18, 25-14, 25-9.
Class B
Bigfork and Libby were eliminated at the Western B divisional volleyball tournament last week.
Florence defeated Missoula Loyola 22-25,25-9, 25-19, 25-13 to win the divisional trophy. Loyola earned the second seed to the state tournament and Thompson Falls finished third.
Loyola will open the Class B state tournament in Bozeman against Huntley Project at 10 a.m., Nov. 12. Thompson Falls will play Choteau. Florence takes on Colstrip and Red Lodge plays Fairfield.