Three Havre High volleyball players named All-State

It was a great season for the Havre High volleyball team in 2022. The Blue Ponies went undefeated in the Northeast A in the regular season and then went on a run to finish second in both the Eastern A Divisionals and the Class A State volleyball tournament. With the season now over, the Ponies that led the team to success have now been recognized.

In their final year in the program together, Avery Carlson, Yelena Miller and Molly Huse were all named all-state and first team all-conference for their performances this season. As the outside hitter, Carlson was a key player on offense as she racked up the kills for the Ponies this season.

"I think Avery was really driven this season," HHS head coach Stephanie Huse said. "She was so successful in her attack, she was a strong server, a very consistent passer for our team and just all around a fundamentally sound player and it was good to see her get recognized for that."

As the team's middle hitter, Miller had another strong season guarding the net. With this all-state selection, Miller finishes her high school with three all-state selections, demonstrating how strong of a career she had for the Ponies.

"She's just a force. You have to be an extremely hard worker to be a middle blocker and that has shown for not only this year, but in years past," Huse said. "Her work ethic creates a lot of success not only for her but our team and that kind of work ethic pays off at the end of seasons."

As the team's setter, Molly Huse had a strong season setting up the offense for her teammates. But before the season, Huse made sure to improve in other areas of the game such as blocking and serving to make her the all-state player she was this year.

"She just improved all the way around," Huse said. "Molly put in a lot of time in the offseason. She knew that in order for her team to be successful, she needed to work hard to get better and get herself to a point where she can be really consistent."

With three all-state selections, it showed the dominance of the Ponies in the Northeast A this season. Aniya Ross of Lewistown was the only other player in the Northeast A who earned all-state this season.

While they did not earn all-state honors, many other Ponies were recognized for their performances this season. Emilee Chambliss earned second team all-conference honors as she helped guard the net with Miller. It was also her first year on varsity for the Ponies, making her season even more impressive.

"She is a quiet force," coach Huse said. "She was a good weapon for us during our season and it was cool that she got recognized for that."

Lizzi Haney and Kyanna Jarvis were both named honorable mention all-conference this season. In her final year with the Ponies, Haney was a key player on defense as the team's libero. With postseason honors tending to recognize offensive players, Huse appreciated the recognition that Haney received.

"I was really happy to see that Lizzi made it because she was a big part of our success," Stephanie said. "The ball control in her aggressive serving is what kept us in a lot of games and it was good to see her get acknowledged as well."

Jarvis contributed on offense with the number of kills she recorded through the course of the season. Huse believes Jarvis stepped up her game from her junior year, which resulted in the postseason honors she received.

"I felt like she provided us with a lot of stability and a lot of consistency," Huse said. "Her serve became a weapon for us. She was really consistent and aggressive in her ability to attack in a smart way on offense.

Unfortunately for the Ponies, they will lose the likes of Carlson, Miller, Haney and Molly to graduation. But with players like Chambliss and Jarvis coming back, the Ponies should have the foundation to keep competing next fall in the Northeast A.

All-State: Avery Carlosn, Havre; Molly Huse, Havre; Yelena Miller, Havre; Aniya Ross, Lewistown.

1st Team All-Conference: Avery Carlson, Havre; Molly Huse, Havre; Yelena Miller, Havre; Bailey Nowicki, Miles City; Aniya Ross, Lewistown; Mataya Tipton, Glendive.

2nd Team All-Conference: Rylee Armstrong, Lewistown; Alora Baker, Miles City; Emily Chambliss, Havre; Codi Nagle, Glendive; Kyndal Wacha, Sidney; Asia Nikolai, Glendive.

Honorable Mention: Lizzi Haney, Havre; Kyanna Jarvis, Havre; Koryanna Lisle, Lewistown; Mallory Robinson, Glendive; Brooke Wienhiemer, Lewistown.