Blue Pony spikers home to face AA CMR tonight

With another tough go last weekend, the Havre High volleyball team does not have any time to dwell on the two losses.

The Central A Blue Ponies are ready to take the floor again this weekend, this time with two more matches against tough competition. Tonight the Ponies will host the Class AA CMR Rustlers are 5:30 p.m. at the Havre High gymnasium, and will then travel to Conrad to take on the Class C Cowgirls on Saturday. The Ponies are 3-5 overall, and would love to grab two more wins to move to .500 on the season.

Playing CMR is always a tough, home or on the road.

This season the Rustlers have also had their share of struggles, and will enter tonight's contest still winless on the season. The Ponies have tapped into their potential several times this season, but still lack the consistency they need to continually find wins. Playing consistent will be key yet again if the Ponies hope to earn a win over CMR.

In last weekend's loss to Choteau, Havre High head coach Melanie Skoyen said her Ponies hesitated too often, and didn't play aggressive like they know how. Skoyen also went on to say they need to play to win, something that will also play a role this weekend.

The Rustlers though winless, still have a lot of talent. The hard hitting Katie Smith could give the Ponies fits if their block isn't on its toes. They also have a tough serving game with players like Jordan White and Kylie Otis behind the line, while the offense can get rolling if it runs through setter Kaydee Parsons smoothly. Parsons had 17 assists last weekend in a loss to the No. 1 Billings Senior squad.

But if the Ponies play to their strengths, they should be able to come away with a home win tonight.

Sarah Armstrong has settled in as the teams best blocker, as well as a top hitter, while Lexi Olson and Sadie Seidel could also stir things up with their ability to rack up kills. But Armstrong will have to have a standout game in the middle, as the Ponies had just two blocks last week against Choteau.

But when in the situation the Ponies are in, they don't have to change much from one opponent to the next.

HHS will take to the road on Saturday to face the Cowgirls in Conrad; however, the Ponies' game plan should remain the same. Skoyen has preached consistency and confidence all season long, and if the Ponies play to their potential, there aren't a whole lot of teams they can't play with or even defeat.

The Cowgirls are typically a force in the Class B ranks, and will also test HHS. But if Brandy Lambourne, Peyton Filius, Davee McLeod, and anybody else who takes the floor steps up and plays well alongside Armstrong, Seidel and Olson, then the Ponies could very well record a win at home, as well as on the road on Saturday.

The Ponies will host CMR tonight at 5:30, and will return to the road on Saturday to face the hosting Conrad Cowgirls.