With a powerhouse like Corvallis in the league, the rest of the teams have been fighting for second place. After Saturday’s win over Butte Central, Stevensville secured that place and will be the No. 2 seed in Dillon at the district tournament on Friday and Saturday.
Stevensville had to win the match on Saturday in order to secure second place and they handled the pressure very well. With a balanced attack against the Maroons, Stevensville pulled away in the first game when Angel Richards stepped up and served four straight points including two aces. Stevensville won the game, 25-17.
Richards began the second game with a powerful left side kill to score the point. Quinn Larson followed up by serving nine points before Butte Central could even score. The Yellowjackets kept the pressure on all through the game and won, 25-10.
“We had a lot of momentum in that second game,” said first year coach Kyla Paulson. “We had to show ourselves we could do it.”
The third game was a little more back and forth with Butte Central taking the lead several times. Then Prestley Robinson step-up and served three points to give some momentum back to Stevi. It was Larson that put the finishing touches on the game and the match by serving up and ace and four more points. Stevensville won, 25-10.
“It’s been an adjustment,” said Larson of having a new coach. “We have a new rotation but we’ve worked through it and it’s really fantastic. I am so excited and proud of this team.”
Corvallis and Florence played in Missoula at the all class Missoula County Public Schools Tournament. Corvallis finished second behind Helena Capitol. Corvallis defeated Florence, and avenged an earlier loss, to advance to the championship match. Florence will host the Western B Divisional next week.
Stevensville def. Butte Central 25-17, 25-10, 25-10
Butte Central – Kills 17, Blocks 2, Digs 34, Assists 16, Aces 2.
Stevensville – Kills (Prestley Robinson 18), Blocks 5, Digs49 (Cassi Kopsa 18), Assists 38 Quinn Larson 30), Aces 10 (Quinn Larson 5).
Dillon def.Hamilton 25-12, 25-22, 22-25, 22-25, 15-9
Dillon – Kills 32, Blocks 5, Digs 66, Assists 27, Aces 17.
Hamilton – Kills 35(Camas Cratty 12), Blocks 2, Digs 66 (Maggie Ringer 13), Assists 0, Aces 9 (Emma Ellis 4).
Valley Christian def. Victor 25-19, 28-30, 22-25, 25-8, 15-9
Victor – Kills 31(Rebecka Shaffer 8, Madison Allred 8), Blocks 2 (Allred1, Haylea Wemple 1), Digs 99 (Sophie Pearson 22), Assists 20 (Ashley Hopper), Aces 11(Ellyse Henderson 5).
Valley Christian – Kills 35, Blocks1, Digs 62, Assists 30, Aces 25.
Seeley-Swan def. Darby 25-22, 25-13, 25-13
Darby – Kills 10 (Amber Anderson 4), Blocks 5, Digs 35 (Madison Conner 8, Casey Ehmann 8), Assists 7 (TeaAnna Rouse 4), Aces 7 (Casey Ehmann).
Seeley-Swan – Kills 25, Blocks 2,Digs 52, Assists 18, Aces 12.