Blue Ponies clip the Eagles

COVID-19 has changed up a lot of things about the 2020 fall sport season, even forcing games to be rescheduled due to that conflict. But sometimes, even the early winter weather that hits Montana throws a curve, too, which is what happened with the Havre High volleyball team's game against Northeastern A rival, the Sidney Eagles. But, that issue would be resolved quickly.

HHS gave a grand performance in their pink uniforms Tuesday evening in the Havre High Gymnasium against the Eagles, earning the Northeastern A sweep, 3-0 over Sidney, the set scores being 25-15, 25-13 and 25-19. As the regular season is about to end come the end of the week, the Ponies are sitting pretty with an 8-3 overall record.

Havre head coach Steph Huse was proud to see the girls give it their all against the Eagles.

"I felt the girls came out with a lot of energy," Huse said. "I think that they were happy that the game got rescheduled and that we were able to play. They just really executed the way that we wanted them to. A lot of girls got to play a lot of different positions and a lot of reps to prepare for divisionals next weekend."

The Blue Pony spikers opened the game hot, with plenty of runs and a strong lead in Havre's favor coming out of the gate. Like most games the Ponies have played recently, they have get in trucking no matter the circumstance, which worked out well for them against Sidney. The Eagles would try to gain some ground and take a lead as the set went on, but Havre claimed the opening bout to start off the game on the right foot.

Havre kept up the stampede in the second set, with the Ponies once again gaining ground early, driving ahead and keeping Sidney behind. The Eagles kept on fighting back as the set went on, putting up a great effort to try and tie the game. Even so, Ellie Collins would set up a Sydney Wilting kill to win set two and take the lead 2-0.

Huse saw a lot go right against Sidney and pointed out some key moments in the game.

"Our passers did a good job controlling the ball," Huse said. "They were steady and consistent with our ball control, which was key for us. It gets overlooked because everybody loves to watch the big, powerful hits. Our game is strong because of our ball control, passing and great defense. I think that's something that's just been standing out a lot for us lately."

The third set saw the continued dominance by the Blue Pony spikers. This time around, the Eagles would push even harder to bring the score closer, but Havre gained leverage in the last part of the third set to stay ahead. Despite the Eagles' best efforts, the ball would hit the net on Sidney's half of the court and hand the Ponies a clean sweep of the Eagles to end of Havre's conference season on a high note.

At the end of the evening, Talia Ralph put up nine kills and Wilting had 17 digs to lead the Ponies on the night. Yelena Miller and Collins tied for two aces, but Miller led the team in blocks with three. Collins had 25 assists on the night.

Next up, the Blue Pony spikers will be faced with another tough pair of challenges to close the regular season this week in the Hardin Bulldogs and the Billings Central Rams, which are games that Huse looks forward to.

"We're looking forward to those matches," Huse said. "Both Hardin and Central are at the top of their conference. Billings Central is undefeated and Hardin is right behind them. They are big, strong teams the both of them. They have history of being good volleyball programs, so we're looking forward to seeing them before divisionals next week. We get to see what they're bringing and how we respond to it."

Havre (8-4) faces off against the Hardin Bulldogs Thursday at 5 p.m. in the Havre High Gymnasium, followed by the bout versus Billings Central Saturday at 7 p.m. in Billings.

Havre def. Sidney

25-15, 25-13, 25-19

HAV – Aces 9 (Maddie Columbus 1, Kennedy Hampton 1, Samantha Lovenguth 1, Yelena Miller 2, Ellie Collins 2, Alyssa Oliver 1, Avery Carlson 1); Kills 30 (Talia Ralph 9, Quinn McDonald 1, Columbus 6, Kaylee Torgerson 1, Hampton 1, Miller 7, Sydney Wilting 2, Collins 1, Carlson 1); Digs 57 (Wilting 17, Lovenguth 7, Oliver 7, Collins 3, Hampton 6, Miller 2, Ralph 1, Carlson 7, Columbus 6, Torgerson 1); Assists 29 (Collins 25, Molly Huse 4); Blocks 6 (Miller 3, McDonald 2, Columbus 1).

SID – not reported.