by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor
The Hamilton volleyball team played in the Class A State tournament in Bozeman from Wednesday, November 12 to Friday, November 14. The Broncs won their first game, then lost the next two games, thus ending their 2025 season.
In their opening round game on Wednesday, Hamilton, the #2 seed from the West, defeated Laurel, the #3 seed from the East, 3-1 (25-17, 13-25, 25-23, 25-13).
This win sent Hamilton to the second round, later in the day on Wednesday, where they were defeated by the eventual state champions, Billings Central, 1-3 (21-25, 15-25, 25-19, 16-25). For Hamilton in this game, Ciara Hanley had 5 aces, 14 kills, 3 assists, 4 blocks, and 9 digs. Aurie Duncan had 4 aces, 5 kills, 19 assists, 3 blocks and 11 digs. Lundyn Murray had an ace, 4 assists, and 13 digs. Kaitlyn Snavely had 7 digs, and Jenna Ellis had 5 kills.
This loss sent Hamilton to the loser’s side of the bracket where they were knocked out of the tournament by Havre, 0-3 (30-32, 22-25, 19-25) on Thursday. For Hamilton in this game, Aurie Duncan had 3 aces, 9 kills, 24 assists, and 15 digs. Ciara Hanley had an ace, 15 kills, 2 assists, a block, and 12 digs. Morgan Lubke had an ace. Lundyn Murray had 5 assists and 14 digs. Jenna Ellis had 7 kills. Ashlynn McKern had 3 blocks, and Kaitlyn Snavely had 2 blocks.
Billings Central won the Class A title, Havre took 2nd, and Frenchtown took 3rd.
This ends another successful volleyball season for Hamilton. The 2025 Broncs took 2nd place in the Southwestern A Conference, placed 2nd in Western A Divisionals, qualified for the Class A State tournament, and won a game in the state tournament. Hamilton loses some talented senior players, but has many good young players coming back, so expect Hamilton to have a strong team again next year.
Florence
The Florence volleyball team competed in the Class B State tournament in Bozeman from Wednesday, November 12 to Friday, November 14. The Falcons lost their opening round game, sending them to the loser’s side of the bracket, where they won a game and then lost a game, which ended their season.
In their opening game on Wednesday, Florence, the #1 seed from the West, lost to Townsend, the #4 seed from the South and the eventual state runner-up, 0-3 (22-25, 17-25, 23-25). For Florence in this game, Maggie Schneiter had 2 aces, 6 kills, 16 assists, and 11 digs. Emory Ralston had an ace, 11 kills, and 19 digs. Reese Briney had an ace and 8 assists. Lexi Danczyk had 6 kills, and Taylor Pyette had 20 digs.
This loss sent Florence to the loser’s side of the bracket where they defeated Fairfield on Thursday, 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-11). For Florence in this game, Maggie Schneiter had 2 aces, 8 kills, 18 assists, and 8 digs. Emory Ralston had 4 aces, 15 kills, and 9 digs. Taylor Pyette had 16 digs. Reese Briney had 11 assists. Kendyl Meinhold had 4 kills, and Lexi Danczyk had 2 aces.
After this win Florence played Baker later in the day on Thursday, where Florence was defeated 0-3 (14-25, 20-25, 19-25).
Shepherd won the Class B title, Townsend took 2nd place, and Jefferson took 3rd.
This ends another successful season for the Florence volleyball team. The Falcons took 1st place in the 6B Conference, won the Western B Divisionals, qualified for the State tournament, and won a game at the state tournament. Florence graduates some excellent senior players, but they have plenty of young talent and look to be a top team again next season.
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