The Lady Falcons of Florence ran into the juggernaut team of Huntley Project twice at the State B volleyball tournament in Bozeman, and neither outcome was in their favor. Riding on the wings of 67 straight victories and 11 state championships, the Red Devils topped Florence in the undefeated match on Friday night in three games. Florence came back through the consolation bracket and earned another chance at Huntley Project in the championship but could not overcome the Red Devils. This is the second year in a row that Florence has placed second behind Huntley Project.
Florence’s play at the net was hampered by the front line of the Red Devils in the championship game. Although Sarah Hopcroft had nine kills and 11 digs, Huntley Project almost doubled their number of kills. Florence didn’t serve up any aces in the match.
Championship
Huntley Project def. Florence 25-18, 25-11, 25-18
Florence – Kills 28 (Sarah Hopcroft 9), Blocks 4 (Jacklyn Balfourd 2, Emma Stensrud 2), Digs 33 (Hopcroft 11), Assists 26 (Christopherson 26), Aces 0.
Huntley Project – Kills 49 (Mollee Krum & Emily Poole 14), Blocks 3 (Krum), Digs 56 (Maggie Taylor 16), Assists 46 (Addy Hultgren 44), Aces 6 (Hultgren 2).
Florence, once they were sent to the consolation bracket, had to defeat Roundup to advance to the championship. This was the second time the two teams had played each other in the tournament. They first met up in the second match of the tournament where Florence was a three-game winner. This time it took Florence four games but they still got the job done and took the win. Hopcroft had 18 kills and 10 digs.
Florence def. Roundup 25-18, 25-14, 20-25, 25-21
Florence – Kills 42 (Sarah Hopcroft 18), Blocks 9 (Jacklyn Balfourd 3), Digs 78 (Hopcroft 19), Assists 41 (Halle Christopherson 37), Aces 7 (Shannon Byrne 2, Emma Stensrud 2).
Roundup – Kills 36 (Chloe Cota 15), Blocks 4 (Meghan Eiselein 1.5), Digs 88 (Cota 23), Assists 34 (Blythe Healey 34), Aces 7 (Healey 4).
Florence played Huntley Project in the undefeated game. The front line slapped down 40 kills for Huntley Project while Florence had 22 kills. Florence had four blocks and four aces.
Huntley Project def. Florence 25-9, 25-14, 25-13 (Undefeated game)
Huntley Project – Kills 40 (Alana Graves 15), Blocks 8 (Graves 2, Addy Hultgren 2), Digs 69 (Maggie Taylor 19), Assists 37 (Hultgren 36), Aces 5 (Hultgren 2).
Florence – Kills 22 (Sarah Hopcroft 9), Blocks 4, Digs 46 (Hopcroft 9, Shannon Byrne 9, Sarah Berard 9), Assists 22 (Halle Christopherson 22), Aces 4.
In their opening game, Florence defeated Joliet, 25-20, 26-24, 25-21. Hopcroft had 16 of the team’s 41 kills. Jacklyn Balfourd and Emma Stensrud each had four blocks. Shannon Byrne had 25 of the team’s 97 digs and she also had two aces. Halle Christopherson had 36 assists.
Florence def. Joliet 25-20, 26-24, 25-21
Florence – Kills 41 (Hopcroft 16), Blocks 11 (Balfourd 4, Stensrud 4), Digs 97 (Byrne 25), Assists (Halle Christopherson 36), Aces 4 (Byrne 2
Joliet – Kills 37 (Makenna Bushman 14), Blocks 3, Digs 66 (Skyler Wright 19), Assists 33 (Shayla Webber 17), Aces 7 (Webber 3).
Later Thursday night, Florence took on Roundup. The first game was close but the Lady Falcons came together and got the win. They went on to win the next two and take the match. Christopherson was strong as a setter which made it easy for the team to get their kills in. Rilee Mangun had two blocks. Hopcroft had five aces.
Florence def. Roundup 25-19, 25-9, 25-12
Florence – Kills 34 (Hopcroft 16), Blocks 3 (Mangun 2), Digs 58 (Hopcroft 15), Assists 32, Aces 11 (Hopcroft 5)
Roundup – Kills 23 (Chloe Cota 9), Blocks 4 (Ashley Ring 2), Digs 54 (Brennan Larson 12), Assists 18 (Blythe Sealey 9), Aces 0.