Rolling: Ponies spike Bulldogs at home

Volleyball is a game of momentum with teams exchanging runs through the course of a set. The Havre High volleyball team has had nothing but positive momentum the past month as the Blue Ponies had won eight straight matches heading into this past weekend.

Momentum stayed with the Ponies as they played strong in their final two matches of the regular season. First, they defeated Livingston, 3-0, on the road Friday night by scores of 25-12, 25-11 and 25-13. Then Saturday afternoon at Blue Pony Gymnasium, Havre swept Hardin, 3-0, by scores of 25-12, 25-12 and 25-13.

"I was really pleased with how we finished our regular season play," HHS head coach Stephanie Huse said. "The girls came out with a lot of positive energy, had great teamwork and just really stuck to the game plan this weekend."

The Ponies started the weekend on the road Friday night at Livingston. Despite the long trip, Havre came out strong as the Ponies took a 6-0 lead to start the first set. The Rangers were able to fight back and cut their deficit to 8-4 but Havre regained control and never looked back as the Ponies won, 25-12, to take a 1-0 lead in the match.

The second set started out a bit more competitive but the Ponies wrangled away control to build a 12-6 lead. The Rangers tried to battle their way back but Havre went on to win the set, 25-11. Huse believes the Ponies maintained control throughout the night against Livingston because they stuck to what had worked for them all season long.

"When we're aggressive, when we have our ball control and we bring good positive energy, then we're able to find success," Huse said. "They had great energy, really encouraged one another, supported each other and just had a lot of fun playing."

The third set started competitive but the Ponies eventually took control on their way to a 25-13 victory to sweep the set. Maddie Columbus finished the night with ten kills and a service ace for the Ponies. Yelena Miller also had a strong night with eight kills and four blocks.

The Ponies returned to Havre Saturday afternoon to face Hardin at Blue Pony Gymnasium. While Hardin was a much tougher opponent, Havre again came out strong to win the first set, 25-12, for a 1-0 lead in the match.

"We had good ball control, we were aggressive with the net and I thought our blocks really came alive," Huse said about the first set against Hardin.

The Ponies again jumped out in the second set to build themselves a lead. Hardin was able to battle back this time to get back in the set, but the Ponies were able to hold them off to win the set, 25-21, for a 2-0 lead.

"The girls did a really good job of not getting panicked and just really focusing on cleaning certain plays up and staying aggressive," Huse said about holding off the Bulldogs.

Havre carried momentum into the third set en route to a 25-13 victory to complete the sweep against Hardin. Avery Carlson led the team with 10 kills and also recorded 12 digs. Molly Huse had a solid outing with two service aces and 33 of the team's 35 assists.

With the wins over the weekend, the Ponies extended their winning streak to 10 matches in a row and improved their record to 13-1 this season. With the regular season now in the rearview mirror, Havre will prepare for divisionals this weekend in Laurel. Stephanie Huse believes that getting to play non-conference opponents Livingston and Hardin to end the regular season will help the Ponies heading into the postseason.

"Being able to play them and seeing where we stack up with them is helpful," Huse said. "Once you go to a tournament, all bets are off and it's a whole new season."

The Ponies will begin divisionals this Thursday in Laurel.

Havre def. Livingston

25-12, 25-11, 25-13

HAV - Aces 3 (Maddie Columbus 1, Lizzi Haney 1, Jade Wendland 1); Kills 33 (Columbus 10, Wendland 8, Yelena Miller 8); Assists 27 (Molly Huse 24); Blocks 8 (Miller 4, Kyanna Jarvis 2, Avery Carlson 1, Huse 1); Digs 43 (Huse 12, Alyssa OLiver 11, Haney 6).

Havre def. Hardin

25-12, 25-21, 25-13

HAV - Aces 6 (Molly Huse 2, Alyssa Oliver 1, Lizzi Haney 1); Kills 39 (Avery Carlson 10, Kyanna Jarvis 8, Yelena Miller 7); Assists 35 (Huse 33) Blocks 11 (Jade Wendland 5, Miller 4, Huse 1); Digs 53 (Oliver 14, Carlson 12, Haney 9).