The Littlefork- Big Falls girls volleyball team used strong finishes in games one and three to capture a three games to one victory over the Falls Broncos in a match played Thursday at the Falls High gym.
A 12-3 run to end game one and a 15-5 run in game three enabled the Vikings to win 25-16, 15-25, 25-12 and 25-21.
Game one was close with the lead changing hands more than once. With the Vikings ahead 17-14, middle hitter Whitney Junker delivered a strong kill shot. Bronco acting head coach Jamie Bodette called timeout. But the Vikings used the emotion of Junker’s kill shot to score five more points to lead 22-14 before the Broncos broke the momentum. But the Vikings quickly recovered to close out game one 25-16.
Bronco junior setter Kara Kennedy provided a spark for the Broncos in game two. Trailing 11-9 Kennedy beat a double block attempt against the Vikings taller front line. The Broncos then pulled into the lead and their momentum forced Viking coach Kim Wimmer to call two timeouts. A kill shot by Syd Gordon and a well placed serve in the corner by Jenessa Spry enabled the Broncos to finish with a 6-0 run to capture game two.
“It was a match of a lot of momentum swings and we were happy to come away with the win,” said Wimmer. “These are friends off the court but rivals on the court which always makes for a competitive match.”
With the score 10-7 Vikings in game three, the next momentum swing went the Vikings way. Strong serves and dominating play at the net took its toll on the Broncos and a kill shot by Hailey Gates set the tone and the Vikings led the match two games to one.
“We played pretty well overall and we made progress from the opening game,” said Bodette. Game four turned out to be the closest game of the night. With strong setting by Danika Stelton and well placed serves by Kara Kennedy, the Falls maintained a slim lead. The teams traded points but a strong serve by Baylea Wendt tied the game 20-20.
Another strong serve by Wendt gave the Vikings the lead at which point Bodette called timeout. “I told them they needed to start communicating on the court, which they had gotten away from,” said Bodette.
Junker ended the match with two straight kill shots and a 25-21 win in game four. “It was a good match and we appreciated the support from the people in Littlefork,” said Wimmer.
The Vikings are now 2-0 on the season and will host Bigfork tonight. The Broncos will have their first road match of the season traveling to Cook tonight. Game time for both matches is 7 p.m.