Blue Pony volleyball sweeps Laurel

Following a strong sweep over Lewistown to start the season last weekend, the Havre High volleyball team looked to carry that momentum into their match against Laurel Tuesday night at the Havre High Gymnasium.

While the Locomotives played more competitive sets against the Blue Ponies, Havre swept for the second match in a row, winning by scores of 25-18, 25-19 and 25-15.

"Laurel is a good volleyball team so I'm really pleased with how the girls responded," HHS head coach Stephanie Huse said. "They block well. They're tenacious on defense. So to survive that and stay aggressive, I was really pleased with how the girls responded."

Unlike their season opener, the Ponies encountered some adversity Tuesday. In the first set, Laurel gained a 3-0 lead to start the night. But the Ponies responded with a run of their own to take a 12-8 lead. Huse credits her team for not letting the set get away from them when they were down early.

"We tried to just emphasize to stay in the middle. Don't get down when we're behind. Don't ride too high when you're too far ahead," Huse said. "You got to try to find the middle and just stay consistent. Don't get wrapped up in the emotion of it."

Even when Havre got the lead, Laurel did not go away as they came back to take a 13-12 lead. Again, the Ponies responded to retake the lead. With Havre leading 20-17, they ended the set on a 5-1 run to win the first set, 25-18, and take a 1-0 lead in the match.

To start the second set, Laurel took an early 3-1 lead. But Havre responded to take an 8-7 lead. The teams were neck and neck through most of the match until Havre built themselves a 17-13 lead. The Locomotives then scored four straight points to tie it. But the Ponies did not let momentum get away from them as they retook the lead and went on to win the match, 25-19. During the late stretch of the set, Alyssa Oliver stepped up for the Ponies with several ace services.

"Alyssa Oliver was pretty instrumental getting us on a run and shifting that momentum," Huse said. "Volleyball's that sport. It's just swings of momentum one way or the other so if you can ride that, then you'll be OK."

The third set followed the same beat as Laurel took an early lead before Havre quickly responded. Havre built themselves a 12-9 lead before they went on a 13-6 run to win the third set, 25-15, and win the match. With the opportunity to close the match, Huse believes her team's aggressiveness carried them to a win in the third set.

"It was a matter of just being aggressive. When a block is getting up there and taking the wind out of your sails when you're attacking," Huse said. "Just continue to stay aggressive that whole time and the girls did that down the stretch."

Many Ponies had a strong performance against Laurel. Oliver led the team with seven service aces and 16 digs. Molly Huse led the Ponies with 24 assists. Yelena Miller and Avery Carlson were tied for the team lead of seven kills and Carlson also recorded two blocks.

"The passing and the setting tonight was amazing," Carlson said about her performance. "You're able to get good plays when you have good passing and setting."

Despite the win opening the week, Havre still has two more matches this week at home. Thursday night, the Ponies will host Columbia Falls before they will play against conference opponent Miles City Saturday night. With several more matches this week, Huse knows she has little time to prepare her team.

"It's an interesting week. We have one day of practice and then we're playing again so we've got to conserve our energy," Huse said. "We need to make sure we're doing something, working on our fundamentals, ironing out some of the kinks, getting ready for our next match. So that's the plan."

The HHS volleyball team will continue its season Thursday against Columbia Falls in the HHS Gymnasium.

Havre def. Laurel

25-18, 25-19, 25-15

HAV - Aces 11 (Alyssa Oliver 7, Yelena Miller 2); Kills 29 (Miller 7, Avery Carlson 7, Kyanna Jarvis 5); Assists 25 (Molly Huse 24, Lizzi Haney 1); Blocks 10 (Jade Wendland 3, Carlson 2, Huse 2); Digs 44 (Oliver 16, Haney 7, Wendland 6).