Thompson Falls hosted the District 7B volleyball tournament last weekend. It was an intense roller coaster ride for the Blue Hawks, who hoisted the second-place trophy when it was all said and done.

After a bye in the first round, Thompson Falls played Eureka on Friday afternoon, winning in three straight sets, 25-17, 25-7 and 25-23, and securing a trip to the Western B Divisional tournament, which will be played this Thursday through Saturday at Florence-Carlton High School. The Hawk seniors led the team in the win against Eureka as Avery Burgess had 12 kills, Cheyla Irvine three aces and nine digs, Natalie Roberts three blocks and Burgess and Ellie Baxter each had 11 set assists.

Earning a trip to the divisional tournament was a great accomplishment for the Hawks, but there was more glory to be had for the home team. Coach Sandra Kazmierczak and her Thompson Falls team then met rival Bigfork Saturday morning, who had beat Thompson Falls during both meetings in the regular season. Thompson Falls hit the court with a renewed fire on Saturday and handed the undefeated Valkyries their first loss of the season. The Vals won the first set 25-23, but Thompson Falls came back to win three straight sets, each with the magical score of 25-21. The energy from the team and crowd rocked Thompson Falls High School gym during the intense matchup. Thompson Falls had done what no other team had done before this season in handing Bigfork their first loss.

"It was very exciting," Hawk senior Natalie Roberts said. "We were definitely looking for the win. We knew it was possible to beat them and we practiced during the week so we were prepared with blocking and covering their tips." Roberts and Irvine each had 16 digs against Bigfork, Fin Walsh led the team with four blocks, Roberts and Gabi Hannum had two aces each, Burgess smashed 21 kills and Baxter had 26 of the team's 40 set assists.

Bigfork wasn't done with the Hawks and had to fight their way back for a rematch in the championship. As the district tournament was a true double elimination format, the Vals would have to beat the Hawks twice in order to take the championship. Bigfork beat Eureka in three sets and then hit the court again to face off against the Hawks in their third straight match of the day.

Again the teams went four sets, but this time it was Bigfork who came out on top. Bigfork won the first two sets 25-12, 25-23. The Hawks came back and took the third 25-14 before Bigfork won the fourth set 25-21. That set the teams up for their third match against each other of the day. At that point, Bigfork had been on the court at the Thompson Falls gym for 11 straight sets. Burgess again led the Hawks with 22 kills and 15 set assists, Roberts led with seven aces, Walsh had three blocks and Irvine 15 digs.

Emotions were high and so was the intensity as the teams took the court for the final sets of the tournament. Bigfork's momentum didn't wane as they won the first set 25-21. The Hawks demonstrated why they are a divisional caliber team as they won the second set 25-15, but Bigfork sealed the district championship as they won the final two sets 25-16 and 25-17. Burgess had 11 digs, 12 set assists and 16 kills in the final match against Bigfor, Hannum led the team with three blocks, Baxter had 13 set assists and Burgess, Roberts and Alivia McCormick contributed two aces apiece.

Roberts said the district tournament has brought the team closer together. "Just playing more together has helped us. Our team was happiest on the court this season at district in front of our home crowd. Every game we feel more connected."

The Hawks will open the divisional tournament against Florence at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday. Roberts said the team has had their eyes on the state tournament since the season started. "We just need to play our own game, and like Coach Kaz always says, do what we know. We can do it," Roberts stated. "We're really excited."

The season ended for the Plains Trotters at the District tournament in Thompson Falls. The Plains volleyball team opened the district tournament against Eureka on Friday, falling in four sets.

Collin Chase

Trotter Piper Bergstrom sets the ball as teammate Maddi Blood watches during District volleyball action.

Next up for the Trotters was a battle with Mission. The Bulldogs beat the Trotters in three straight sets, but Plains put forth impressive effort as they fought to keep their season alive. The Bulldogs won the first two sets 25-15 and 25-18, however, the third set was a battle in which the teams went head-to-head the entire match before Mission secured their spot at the divisional tournament with a final set of 26-24.