Volleyball Previews

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Volleyball Previews

Posted: Thursday, November 5, 2009 2:00 am | Updated: 10:06 pm, Wed Nov 4, 2009.

The Daily Inter Lake

Northwestern A Divisional

Today/Friday/Saturday

At Libby

WHAT'S AT STAKE: Five teams are competing for two state playoff berths.

WHO'S HERE: All five NWA teams are in action - Polson, Libby, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Ronan.

TODAY: The three-day event begins with a single game this evening at 7 - Columbia Falls vs. Ronan.

FRIDAY: Four games highlight this session ... 11 a.m. - Libby vs. Whitefish; 1 p.m. - Polson vs. Columbia Falls/Ronan winner; 5 p.m. - Columbia Falls/Ronan loser vs. Libby/Whitefish loser; 7 p.m. - Libby/Whitefish winner vs. Polson/Columbia Falls-Ronan winner.

THREE WINS AND YOU ARE IN: That's magic number and quickest way to advance to state. Going 3-0 will also give you the divisional title.

ON TOP: Polson wrapped up regular-season action last Saturday with a 3-game sweep and nonconference victory at Frenchtown (25-12, 25-20, 25-12). The Pirates finished that portion of its schedule undefeated (13-0 overall, 8-0 Northwestern A).

OTHER RECORDS: Libby (8-4 and 6-2) finished second in NWA, followed by Whitefish (6-5 and 4-4), Columbia Falls (4-6 and 2-9) and winless Ronan.

INTRIGUING MATCHUP: It's always a battle when Whitefish and Libby face off on the court. The Loggers won both regular-season matchups, but the Bulldogs prevailed in a meeting in tournament play at Missoula.

LAST YEAR: Polson hosted the tournament, which had six teams. Bigfork has left NWA to compete in Class B. Libby defeated Polson 3-2 in the championship match to win its second-straight divisional title.