By Ryan Divish/Havre Daily News Sports Editor/rdivish@havredailynews.com
The high school volleyball season may be over, but that doesn't mean you can get one last fill of crushing kills, soft sets and difficult digs.
The Montana State University-Northern volleyball program and head coach Lisa Handley will once again be holdings its annual Class ABC all-star volleyball tournament on Saturday at the MSU-Northern gymnasium.
The tourney will feature some of the top players in Class A, B and C competing against each other in three matches, starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Handley expects strong competition at this year's tournament although the rosters did take a hit because of the upcoming high school basketball season and the MHSA's 10 practice rule.
A player must have 10 practices before they can play in the game. With the season starting earlier this year, some players had to stay home and practice to be eligible for the first game.
Still, Handley believes there are some outstanding players at the tournament.
The Class B squad looks to be loaded with Class B state champion Huntley Project four players on the roster along with head coach Iona Stookey.
Standout middle blockers Jessica Eliason, Jessica Lechner and Mariah Roberts along with Lindsey Stookey and defensive specialist Melissa Hollowell will be competition
The 6-1 Eliason recently signed to play volleyball at Rocky Mountain College, while Hollowell has committed to play for Carroll College next year.
Class B will have some serious height on its team. Besides Eliason, Roberts and Lechner, who are all over 5-10, there will also be 5-11 Stephanie Loessberg of Manhattan and 5-11 Tiffany Waters of Glasgow.
Also on the squad is Chinook standout Whitney Lybeck, who led the Beeters this season in kills and blocks. Rounding out the Class B squad it defensive specialist Kelli Dailey of Broadwater and setter Tiffany Majerus of Roundup.
The Class A squad will feature several top players led by 6-0 middle blocker Jen Sunwall of Sidney, who will play for Crown College next season.
Joining Sunwall is Lewistown standout Claire Slagel and outside hitter Mallory Minnick from Class A power and state runner-up Hardin. Libby will bring a pair of players in outside hitter Nicole Rowan and setter Erin Bothman.
Also on the Class A squad are Billings Central's Cindy Eakin and Lindsey Conroy, along with Agnes Kesting and Jennifer Neville of Livingston.
Class C will be led by six players who competed in this year's state tournament. District 7C power Valier will bring two players led by recently named all-stater Kristen Kiede and outside hitter Cayla DeBoo.
Also on the squad is first-team all-state defensive specialist Jackie Bissett of Victor along with teammate and second team all-state selection Ellie Kaufman.
State tourney qualifier Terry will be represented by outside hitter Sarah Pisk and all-around player Annie Krise. Joining them will be Centerville's Andi Wilham, Belt's Carly Raska, Drummond's Alex Leeper and Grass Range's Char Fleharty.
Schedule
10 a.m. Class B vs. Class C
11:30 a.m. Class C vs. Class A
1 p.m. Class A vs. Class B
