Valkyries take Valley Christian, fall to Deer Lodge in first day of tournament

The first day of the Western B Divisional Volleyball Tournament in Superior looked like it was going to be a good one for the Bigfork Valkyries as they dominated their first opponent Valley Christian in three swift games, 25-15, 25-11 and 25-14. But then they ran into Deer Lodge and found themselves being sent to the loser bracket after being defeated in four games.

Bigfork came out on top in their first game against Deer Lodge, 25-17, but that was the last time that the Val's held a significant lead over the Wardens, who won the next three games 25-21, 25-13 and 25-17.

The Val's rivals, Eureka, who they had to battle three times at the 7B District Tournament last weekend to win the championship title, also took an unexpected to loss. The Lady Lions went went down in four games, 17-25, 25-21, 25-27, 25-17 and 15-9, to No. 3 seed Florence in the teams' first match of the tournament.

Eureka faces Thompson Falls today, Nov. 6, at noon. Bigfork will play the winner of that match at 4 p.m.

The Vals' hopes to advance to state are not over, but the road is much longer. If they win their next match, they will advance to play at 8 p.m. If they lose that one, then they take fourth place, but are out of the tournament.

If they win later today, then they will move on to the final day of play that will start with an 11 a.m. match for them Saturday. The loser of that match takes third place and the winner advances to the championship match at 1 p.m.

If the team that ends up in third place has not played the team the finishes in second, there will be a challenge game on Saturday at 3 p.m., as only the top two teams advance to the state tournament in Bozeman next weekend.

Deer Lodge def. Bigfork 17-25, 25-21, 25-13, 25-17

Kills - Bigfork 40 (Emily Hardman 22), Deer Lodge (Danni Johnson 10). Blocks - Bigfork 1 (Melissa VanDerveer), Deer Lodge (Johnson 6). Digs - Bigfork 28 (Mallery Knoll 10), Deer Lodge (Johnson 15, Sydnee McKee 15). Assists - Bigfork 35 (Claire Wilken 19), Deer Lodge (Morgan Close 13). Aces - Bigfork 10 (VanDerveer 4), Deer Lodge (Johnson 3)

Bigfork def. Valley Christian 25-15, 25-11, 25-14

Kills — Bigfork 32 (Hardman 14, VanDerveer 8); Blocks — Bigfork 5 (VanDerveer 2, Nikie Bilodeau 2); Assists — Bigfork 35 (Wilken 17, Peck 17); Digs — Bigfork 25 (Knoll 8, Deaton 7); Aces — Bigfork 11 (Wilken 4, Knoll 4, VanDerveer 3).