Blue Ponies win first two matches at state

The Havre Blue Ponies did exactly what they needed to in the opening round of the Class A State Volleyball Tournament — They dominated.

On Thursday in Bozeman, Havre swept Ronan by scores of 25-16, 25-17 and 25-14 to advance to the quarterfinals. The quick win saw Jade Wendland tally six kills and four blocks, while Molly Huse had 24 assists and Alyssa Oliver totaled 16 digs.

The victory moved Havre into Thursday's quarterfinal where the Blue Ponies met up with arch rival Billings Central. And all the momentum Havre had Thursday morning, kept the Ponies rolling.

Havre did drop the first set to the Eastern A champion Rams, 17-25, but from there, the Ponies stormed back.

In the next three sets, Havre overcame Central leads, winning 25-20 in the second, 26-24 in the third and 25-20 in the fourth. The victory secured Havre no worse than a third-place finish, which will be the Ponies’ first state tournament trophy since 2005. In the win over the Rams, Wendland and Avery Carlson each had seven kills, while Yelena Miller had four blocks and and two aces.

Meanwhile Thursday, Fort Benton opened the Class C state tournament with a 3-0 loss at the hands of White Sulphur Springs. The Longhorns lost by scores of 25-14, 25-20 and 28-26. Emerson Giese had seven kills while Ashlee Wang had 17 assists and an ace for the Longhorns, who fell into today's loser-out bracket against Roy-Winifred.

The Blue Ponies will play in tonight’s undefeated semifinal, which takes place 6 p.m. All the action takes place at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman.

Havre def. Ronan

25-16, 25-17, 25-14

HAVRE: Aces – Molly Huse 4; Alyssa Oliver 3; Jade Wendland 1. Assists – Molly Huse 24; Alyssa Oliver 1. Digs – Alyssa Oliver 16; Avery Carlson 9; Molly Huse 6. Kills – Jade Wendland 6; Avery Carlson 6; Yelena Miller 6. Blocks – Jade Wendland 4; Maddie Columbus 3; Yelena Miller 2.

RONAN: Aces – Claire Crist 1; Rylie Lindquist 1. Assists – Leina Ulutoa 7. Digs – Rylie Lindquist 19. Kills – Reina Cordova 6. Blocks – Rylie Lindquist 1; Leina Ulutoa 1.

Havre def. Billings Central

17-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-20

BILLINGS CENTRAL: Aces – Zi'Onna Leikam-Morton 4; Alexa Williams 3; Maria Stewart 2. Assists – Maria Stewart 30. Digs – Alaina Woods 28; Zi'Onna Leikam-Morton 13; Maria Stewart 10. Kills – Zi'Onna Leikam-Morton 11; Mya Hansen 8; Alexa Williams 7. Blocks – Mya Hansen 4; Alexa Williams 3; Alaina Woods 3.

HAVRE: Aces – Yelena Miller 2; Molly Huse 1; Alyssa Oliver 1. Assists – Molly Huse 26; Alyssa Oliver 3. Digs – Alyssa Oliver 28; Molly Huse 15; Avery Carlson 12. Kills – Jade Wendland 7; Avery Carlson 7; Yelena Miller 6. Blocks – Yelena Miller 4; Molly Huse 3; Maddie Columbus 3.

WSS def. Fort Benton

25-14, 25-20, 28-26

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS: Aces – Rio Kawata 4; Callie Menard 2; Kendra Manger 2. Assists – Callie Menard 16. Digs – Rio Kawata 20; Cabry Taylor 19; Daisy Fisher 10. Kills – Cabry Taylor 13; Daisy Fisher 8; Kendra Manger 6. Blocks – Natalie Fisher 8; Cabry Taylor 5; Daisy Fisher 3.

FORT BENTON: Aces – Casha Corder 3; Francesca Genovese 1; Ashlee Wang 1. Assists – Ashlee Wang 17; Sam Vielleux 3. Digs – Hailee Wang 25; Francesca Genovese 17; Emerson Giese 16. Kills – Emerson Giese 7; Francesca Genovese 4; Ashlee Wang 4. Blocks – Sam Vielleux 1.