HHS Blue/White Day cut in half

Havre High football fans were left disappointed Saturday as the Blue Ponies' annual Blue/White scrimmage to kick off the season was canceled due to heavy rain storms that left the field in Blue Pony Stadium wet.

And with HHS set to take on Whitefish Saturday, concerns about the condition of the field led to the decision not to play.

However, Blue/White day wasn't a total washout as the Havre High volleyball team took to the court in game action for the first time this season. The varsity team participated in two games against the junior varsity team at the Havre Middle School Saturday afternoon.

In their closest thing to a match this season, the Ponies looked sharp as the varsity team defeated the junior varsity 25-13 in back-to-back games. In all, it was a clean performance that featured a number of aces and kills, but very few mistakes.

"I thought the girls played well," HHS head coach Melanie Skoyen said. "Our service errors were limited and our serving was really aggressive, so I liked that. Our serve receive also looked pretty good. Our free ball passes have been better in practice than they were today. I think we had a little bit of miscommunication. I think there were a little nerves but the fact that they were running the quicks that is what I wanted them to do because they are capable of doing it, so the fact that they are trying it makes me happy."

Some of the individuals who stood out for the Ponies were junior Dani Wagner, who had a number of aces and kills on the day, as did fellow junior Reggie Bernard. Megan Erickson also had some impressive kills as the varsity squad cruised to victory.

"Overall, I was happy with how we did," Skoyen said. "We do have a bit of an advantage because I have been coaching these girls since they were in middle school, so it's almost sentimental. I have watched them grow up, and they have turned into great kids and aggressive players."

The HHS volleyball team will open the season Sept. 5 when they play back-to-back games against Belgrade and Livingston in Belgrade. The Ponies will also play at the Windy City Classic Sept. 6. So, despite already conducting their scrimmage, HHS has more time to prepare for the start of the regular season.

The HHS football doesn't have that luxury now.

Despite their scrimmage getting rained out, the Ponies still did some walk-throughs at the middle school in preparation for their season-opening game against Whitefish for the BNSF trophy.

Kickoff between Havre and Northwest A rival Whitefish Bulldogs is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Blue Pony Stadium.