FLORENCE – One one side of the Western B divisional volleyball bracket, the favorites dominated. On the other side, the underdogs had a great opening day.
Florence and Thompson Falls both won two matches to move into the undefeated semifinal. The Falcons and Bluehawks will collide with a trip to state on the line at 6:00 Friday night.
The hosting Falcons started the day with a 25-10, 25-14, 25-16 sweep of St. Ignatius.
Match two went the distance between Missoula Loyola and Bigfork. The two-seed from the 7B held off the third place team from the 6B in five sets. Bigfork picked up the win, 23-25, 25-16, 25-22, 18-25, 15-8.
Eureka entered the bracket as the 7B champions. But Anaconda, the four seed from the 6B, took down the Lions in five sets; 25-22, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-10.
Then 7B three-seed Thompson Falls picked up another upset, taking down 6B runner-up Deer Lodge in four sets. The Bluhawks won 16-25, 25-12, 25-20, 25-21.
In the second round later in the evening, Florence notched another convincing victory on their home floor, taking down Bigfork 25-6, 25-13, 25-15.
Thompson Falls wrapped up the day by continuing their hot play. The Bluhawks swept past Anaconda in a competitive match, 25-18, 25-22, 27-25.
