Bulldogs sweep Havre High spikers in Choteau

Thursday night the Havre High volleyball team faced a tough Class B opponent on the road.

And though it was the second meeting between the Central A Blue Ponies and Choteau Bulldogs, the Ponies got a reminder on just how tough the Bulldogs are this season. The Bulldogs defeated the Ponies in three games by scores of 25-12, 25-14, and 25-18.

Havre knew it would be a tough match on the road after losing in five to the Bulldogs at home earlier this season. But even though the Ponies struggled to keep pace, Havre High head coach Melanie Skoyen was pleased with the effort.

“We lost in three,” Skoyen said. “But they played very well and you could tell that they are coming around. They were confidant and showed improvement, and never gave up. Even when Choteau was making runs the girls kept fighting and trying do the right things. They made Choteau earn their points and that is all we could ask for. We still struggled with our passing, but we are confident we are going to get better.”

Struggling with passing, the Ponies earned just 13 assists on the night, a small sum with how many hitters the Ponies can throw at a team. Both Ellery Bresler and Dani Wagner led the Ponies with six assists each.

The Ponies did total 19 kills, with Martha Stocker leading with six and Jacinta Finneman adding another five. Stocker also led with two blocks, while Finneman added another one. Breck Don and Jordyn Warren also had one ace each, while the Ponies totaled just 18 digs, Aubrea Worm and Madison Huebsch both finishing with five.

Choteau was able to control the match with 34 total kills on 30 total assists. The Bulldogs also totaled nine aces, eight blocks, and 43 digs as they handled the HHS attack and kept the Ponies out of the win column.

With the loss the Ponies remain 2-1 in the Central A, but dropped to 5-8 overall. Saturday the Ponies will get back on the court in Browning where they will face Belgrade and Livingston in two important conferences matches.

Choteau def. Havre

25-12, 25-14, 25-18

Havre: Kills 19 (Martha Stocker 6, Jacinta Finneman 5), Assists 13 (Ellery Bresler 6, Dani Wagner 6), Aces 3 (Breck Don 1, Jordyn Warren 1), Blocks 5 (Stocker 2.5, Finneman 1.5), Digs 18 (Aubrea Worm 5, Madison Huebsch 5).

Choteau: Kills 34 (Celie Salmond 14), Assists 30 (Alicia Fladstol 14), Aces 9 (Haley Henderson 3), Blocks 8 (Hannah Bowers 3), Digs 43 (Henderson 13).