Havre volleyball falls in Eastern A Divisionals

It had been a great season for the Havre High volleyball team, but all things eventually come to an end. And the season came to an end for the Blue Ponies this past weekend in Lockwood as they went 1-2 in the Eastern A Divisional Tournament.

The Ponies opened the tournament with a 3-1 win (18-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-23) over Lockwood Thursday afternoon. The Ponies did not have the best start to the match as the Lions jumped out to a 15-6 lead to start the first set. The Ponies responded to cut their deficit to 20-15, but Lockwood went on to win, 25-18, for a 1-0 lead in the match.

Looking to even out the match, the Ponies started the second set by racing out to a 15-5 lead. The Lions tried to claw their way back into the contest, but the Ponies held strong to win it, 25-17, to tie the match, 1-1.

Both teams started strong in the third set as they battled to a 9-9 draw. The Ponies took the lead but Lockwood kept pace to make it a 15-14 lead. The Ponies then pulled away with a 5-0 run to take a 20-14 lead. The Lions could not respond as Havre went on to win, 25-17, to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

Needing a win, the Lions kept pace with the Ponies to start the fourth set. But with the game tied, 13-13, the Ponies went on a 6-1 run to take a 19-14 lead. The Ponies continued to play well as they set up the match point with a 24-20 lead. The Lions scored three straight points to extend the set, but Havre eventually scored to win, 25-23, to win the match and advance in the tournament.

Later on Thursday, the Ponies lost, 3-0, (25-19, 25-21, 25-23) to the Billings Central Rams. The match started competitively as the Ponies and Rams battled to a 15-15 tie. The Rams then scored three straight points to take the lead before slowly pulling away for the 25-19 win and the 1-0 lead in the match.

Looking to respond, the Ponies raced out to an 11-4 lead to begin the second set. But the Rams slowly climbed their way back until it was tied, 18-18. The Rams then went on a 7-3 run to win the set, 25-21, to extend the lead to 2-0 in the match.

Needing a win, the Ponies took an 11-6 lead to begin the third set. But again, the Rams came back to tie it, 12-12. Over the next few minutes, the Ponies and Rams went back and forth until it remained tied at 21-21.

Looking to end the night, the Rams went on a 3-0 run to take a 24-21 lead and set up the match point. The Ponies responded with two quick points to extend the set, but Glendive scored to win, 25-23, to win the match in three sets.

The Ponies' season then ended Friday afternoon with a 3-2 loss (25-19, 25-16, 21-25, 18-25, 15-6) to Glendive in an elimination match. From the jump, the Red Devils got going as they took a 20-9 lead to start the first set. The Ponies responded with a 10-4 run to cut into their deficit, but Glendive scored to win, 25-19, for the 1-0 lead in the match.

In the second set, the Devils took an early lead and never looked back as they pulled away for a 21-11 lead. The Ponies tried to go on a run, but Glendive held on for the 25-16 victory and the 2-0 lead in the match.

In the third set, the Ponies and Devils battled back and forth until it was tied, 16-16. The Ponies pulled ahead for a 21-20 lead, before going on a 4-1 run to win it, 25-21, to force a fourth set in the match.

Needing another win, the Ponies jumped out to an 11-4 lead to start the fourth set. Glendive could not respond as Havre eventually built its lead to 18-10. The Devils tried to go on a run, but Havre held on to win, 25-18, to force a fifth and decisive set.

After an early 2-2 tie to start the fifth, the Devils went on a 9-2 run to take an 11-4 lead. Havre could not put up a response as Glendive held on for a 15-6 victory that won the match. With the loss, the HHS volleyball team's 2023 season came to an end.

Thursday 

Havre 3, Lockwood 1

18-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-23

Billings Central 3, Havre 0

25-19, 25-21, 25-23

Friday

Glendive 3, Havre 2, LO

25-19, 25-16, 21-25, 18-25, 15-6