George Ferguson
Havre Daily News Sports
gferguson@havredailynews.com
For the second consecutive week the Havre High volleyball team has just one match on the schedule. After a win over Browning last Saturday, the Ponies are back on the road tonight when they travel to Class B Fort Benton.
Havre routed the Lady Indians on the road last week in three straight games to push its Central A conference record to a perfect 4-0 on the young season.
Overall, the Ponies have eight wins against just two losses in 10 regular season matches. As great a start as Havre High has gotten off to this year, all is not perfect in Blue Pony land, according to head coach Bill Huebsch.
"Right now we're battling a case of the flu on our team," Huebsch said. "I have it and several kids have missed some school and practice this week.
"Hopefully, this is the only time this happens to us this year," he added. "It is much better to go through something like this early in the season than when we get to the divisional tournament."
Of course, the Ponies at less than full strength might still be too much for the Class B Longhorns. Fort Benton has struggled against the upper tier of Class B volleyball this season with losses to Townsend, Cut Bank and Choteau. Still, Huebsch isn't taking them lightly.
"We won't underestimate Fort Benton at all," Huebsch said. "And hopefully the kids don't overestimate themselves.
"We don't know a lot about Fort Benton because we have never played them," he added. "We just have to go down there and hope we play well and come away with a win."
Hitters Nikki Bailey and Mattie Onstad lead the Longhorns in kills this season.
Bailey is also a very good defensive player at the net. Fort Benton's back row is led by Kaela Kittredge and Carol Ann Spaabeck. Ginger Singer leads the team in assists.
"Volleyball is a game of momentum," Huebsch said. "We have been playing very well so far this season and we can't afford to overlook anyone. Because when you do that and things start going the other way, you can end up coming home with a loss."
Tonight's match between Havre and Fort Benton will get under way at 7 p.m. in Fort Benton. The Ponies won't return to action until the following Thursday when they visit Class B powerhouse Cut Bank.
