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HHS spikers face long road to state after falling to Hardin Thursday afternoon
The first match of the Eastern A Divisional volleyball tournament didn't go how the Havre Blue Ponies were hoping.
For the Blue Ponies Thursday's divisional opener against the Hardin Bulldogs was the first step to winning the Eastern A title. But the Bulldogs had different plans and upset the Ponies by scores 21-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-18 and 15-12.
The game was certainly a shootout between the teams and in the end, Hardin kept the edge to advance in the tournament. The loss hits hard for the Blue Ponies, but they are in no way out of the contention for state. Now, Havre just has to take the long road to an appearance in the Class A state tourney.
HHS head coach Tamecia Jarvis saw the jitters her team faced and understood the moments that kept her team from winning.
"I think we lost that match because we made too many mistakes," said Jarvis. "We dug ourselves in a hole and our servicing kind of let us down a little bit at times."
The match started off well for Havre, but the first set was very close the whole time. The Ponies opened with a 3-0 run, but Hardin kept it tense. The teams came across a tied score five different times in the set. But, Havre kept ahead with multiple kills from seniors Jessa Chvilicek and Cassidy Acor. It was Chvilicek who made the block to give the Ponies the first set. Havre lead 1-0.
The second set was a lot scarier for the Blue Pony team. After a 5-5 tie early in the set, Hardin broke out and went on a 11-0 run to take the lead 16-5. After more back-and-forth, Havre drew nearer after it went on a 9-0 run, but the Bulldogs kept ahead and ended the set with a 3-0 run to take the second, the match tied 1-1.
The third set repeated the Ponies' fears. After Hardin lead 5-3, the Bulldogs went on a big 7-0 run to extend the lead 12-3. Havre later responded with a 4-0 run to cut Hardin's lead, but another Bulldog 7-0 run left the Ponies still behind. In the end, Hardin claimed the third set and the match lead 2-1.
Jarvis saw the blow to her team's mood after losing the third set.
"I think our confidence was a little shot at times because we were down by so much," said Jarvis. "But, we just have to remember that they're here for a reason and they've had such a great season. But, not by just laying down and letting the other team win."
Some of Havre's confidence was regained after the Ponies won the fourth set. In the fourth, HHS went on a 3-0 run early, a 5-0 run, and two different 4-0 runs late in the set. Once again, Chvilicek and Acor were the majority of the offensive attack. Havre tied the match back up 2-2 and looked to finish it off in the fifth.
But, Hardin had other plans. After the Ponies went on a 3-0 run to start off the set, the Bulldogs soon responded with a 4-0 run, a 5-0 run and another 4-0 run to stun Havre in the set. Senior Sam Oliver and Chvilicek tried to keep Havre in it with some kills, but mistakes on the part of the Blue Pony squad left them out to dry.
Even with the loss, Havre put up some great numbers against the Bulldogs. Chvilicek led the team in kills with 18 and blocks with five. Senior Peyton Brown put up 34 assists, the Havre defense racked up 106 digs and the team served five aces.
The Ponies now have to face arch rival Lewistown this morning and will need to win two matches on their home floor today to advance.
"We just have to have better servicing and communication," Jarvis said. "But, as long as we play Blue Pony volleyball, we'll be fine. We cannot make any mistakes in this next match. We need to make sure we're passing the ball and playing good defense."
With the ambitions of state still in their minds, the Blue Ponies will be taking the long road to get there. Havre played Lewistown this morning, and a win sets up another loser-out match today at 5:45. The Eastern A tournament runs through Saturday afternoon in the HHS gymnasium.
Thursday's first day of the Eastern A saw Billings Central, Laurel and Glendive join Hardin in the winner's bracket.
Hardin def. Havre
25-21, 20-25, 18-25, 25-18, 15-12
HAV – Kills 38 (Jessa Chvilicek 18, Cassidy Acor 10, Sam Oliver 05), Assists 36 (Peyton Brown 34), Digs 106 (Sydney Wilting 21, Sam Oliver 21, Peyton Brown 20), Blocks 07 (Jessa Chvilicek 5.5) Aces 05
HAR – Kills 42 (Alyssa Pretty Weasel 05, Jonna Lind 04, Rylee Kogolshak 04), Assists 38 (Natalie Edgar 34), Digs 101 (Rilee Green 30, Natalie Edgar 19), Blocks 04 (Alyssa Pretty Weasel 1.5, Jonna Lind 01), Aces 16 (Alyssa Pretty Weasel 05, Jonna Lind 04, Rylee Kogolshak 04).
Thursday
Match 1: Livingston def. Sidney, 25-15, 25-21, 25-20
Match 2: Billings Central def. Lewistown, 25-7, 25-13, 25-14
Match 3: Hardin def. Havre, 25-21, 20-25, 18-25, 25-18, 15-12
Match 4: Laurel def. Miles City, 25-17, 25-18, 25-20
Match 5: Glendive def. Livingston, 25-23, 25-22, 25-17
Match 6: Lewistown def. Sidney, 25-16, 25-15, 20-25, 25-12
Friday
Match 7: Livingston vs. Miles City, 9 a.m.
Match 8: Havre vs. Lewistown, 10:45 a.m.
Match 9: Hardin vs. Billings Central, 12:30 p.m.
Match 10: Glendive vs. Match 4 winner, 2:15 p.m.
Match 11: Match 9 loser vs. Match 7 winner, 4 p.m.
Match 12: Match 10 loser vs. Match 8 winner, 5:45 p.m.
Match 13: Match 10 winner vs. Match 9 winner, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Match 14: Match 11 winner vs. Match 12 winner, 10 a.m.
Match 15: Match 13 loser vs. Match 14 winner, 11:45 p.m., 4th place
Match 16: Match 13 winner vs. Match 15 winner, 1:30 p.m., championship
Match 17: If necessary, 3:15 p.m., championship
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