Ponies' season ends at divisionals

After a difficult season, the Havre High volleyball team was out for redemption at the Central A Divisional tournament. But, despite a valiant effort from the Blue Ponies, Havre once again failed to make it to the Class A State tournament.

The fourth-seeded Ponies opened the tournament with a three-game sweep of the host team Browning, then proceeded to lose to Belgrade in three games and Livingston in five games to be eliminated. All games took place Friday in Browning.

Following their opening round victory over Browning, the Ponies went head-to-head against top-seeded Belgrade and were hoping to upset a team that easily defeated Havre twice in the regular season.

Yet, just like they did in the two previous meetings, the Panthers proved to be too much for the Ponies and defeated them handily by the scores of 25-15, 25-15 and 25-13. Havre managed just 17 kills in the three-game sweep and never really threatened Belgrade, which would go on to win the tournament with a win over Lewistown in the championship game Saturday night.

Dani Wagner had seven kills and seven digs in the loss to lead the way for HHS. Reggie Bernard had four kills and four digs, while Carlene Rennick had four blocks. Naomi Terry also contributed with eight assists.

The loss to Belgrade put the Ponies on the brink of elimination and meant that HHS needed to beat Livingston Friday night in order to keep its season alive.

Against the Rangers, Havre once again found itself in a hole, as the Ponies dropped the opening game of the match by the score of 25-15. Yet, Havre refused to go down without a fight and pulled out a dramatic 26-24 win in the second set to tie the match at 1-1 after two sets.

In game three, the Rangers beat the Ponies 26-24 in another thrilling set, putting Havre’s back against the wall. With their season flashing before their eyes, the Ponies won the game four 25-20, to force a fifth and deciding set.

Unfortunately, in the fifth set, the Ponies could not close the deal and lost in heartbreaking fashion by the score of 16-14. Havre got down 14-11 but rallied to tie the score at 14-14, before dropping the last two points to the Rangers. The loss meant that Livingston, not Havre would advance to Saturday.

“We were down 14-11 but we just refused to give up. Both teams wanted it so bad and gave their all,” HHS head coach Melanie Skoyen said. “Game five was all tied up and Livingston just made two great plays in a row.”

Wagner put forth a herculean effort in the loss for Havre, notching 19 kills, 17 assists, 12 digs and six aces. Megan Erickson also had a solid outing for HHS with eight kills and 14 digs. Terry added 13 assists. Madison Huebsch pitched in with 19 digs and Bernard contributed with 21 digs, six kills and four blocks. In their opening match of the tournament, the Ponies defeated Browning for the third time this season by the scores of 25-14, 25-23 and 26-24.

Wagner had another strong match for the Ponies with 15 kills and eight aces. Huebsch and Terry each added nine digs, while Bernard and Rennick both had 1.5 blocks.

“Although we finished the season on a heartbreak, I couldn’t be more proud of the enthusiasm the girls played with in their final match.” Skoyen said.

With one win and two losses, the Ponies finished the season with an overall record of 4-17. They finished fourth in the Final Central A standings and also finished fourth in the divisional tournament. Belgrade and Lewistown will go on to represent the Central A at the Class A State meet this weekend in Bozeman.

Central A Divisional Tournament

At Browning

Havre def. Browning

25-14, 25-23, 26-24

Havre: Kills: 40 (Dani Wagner 15). Blocks: 5 (Reggie Bernard 1.5, Samy Huston 1.5). Aces: 11 (Wagner 8). Digs: 45 (Madison Hubesh 9, Naomi Terry 9).

Browning: Kills: 23 (Kaylee Skunk Cap 5, Terine Whitcomb 5). Blocks: 3 (Whitcomb 2). Aces: 3 (Whitcomb 2). Digs: 37 (Melissa Flammand 14). Assists: 22 (Olivia Hall 13).

Belgrade def. Havre

25-15, 21-15, 25-13

Belgrade: Kills 39 (Kylie McCree 15, Hannah Goulet, Maddie Orrell, Jamie Woolman 6). Blocks 5 (McCree 3, Orrell 2). Aces 10 (Kyra Fisher 4, McCree, Olivia Kliensasser, Jordan Branch 2). Digs 41 (Goulet 10, Fisher, Kliensasser, Emily Shram 6). Assists 36 (Kliensasser 34).

Havre: Kills 17 (Dani Wagner 7, Reggie Bernard 4). Blocks 6 (Carlene Rennick 2.5, Jacey McDonall 2). Aces 3 (Wagner, Bernard, Naomi Terry 1). Digs 31 (Wagner 7, Megan Erickson 6). Assists 12 (Terry 8, Wagner 3).

Livingston def. Havre

25-15, 24-26, 26-24, 20-25, 16-14

Havre – Kills 46 (Dani Wagner 19, Megan Erickson 8, Reggie Bernard 6); Assists 32 (Dani Wagner 17, Naomi Terry 13); Digs 97 (Reggie Bernard 21, Madison Huebsch 19, Megan Erickson); Aces 14 (Dani Wagner 6, Naomi Terry 3, Reggie Bernard 2).