George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com
With the preseason tournaments behind teams, district play in high school volleyball took center stage this weekend on the Hi-Line, and the race for the postseason is now officially on. On Thursday in Rocky Boy, the North Star Knights took their first step towards a perfect weekend by defeating the host Morning Stars by scores of 25-11, 25-10 and 25-18. As expected, star hitter Natasha Dyrland had a big night for the Knights, racking up 12 kills and three blocks in the win. Brit Kapperud also served well for North Star, compiling six aces. Rocky Boy got a nice all-around match from Frances Eagleman, as she totaled five kills and three blocks in the loss. Meanwhile, in District 6C West action on Thursday night, the Chester/ J-I Hawks thumped the Power Pirates by scores of 25-8, 25-9 and 25-14. The Hawks, who dominated the match from start to finish, got 14 kills and two aces from sophomore Jessica VanDyke, while Lindsey Oraw added four kills, seven digs and three aces. On Friday night, the action shifted back to the 6C East, and in Big Sandy, the favored Pioneers swept visiting Hays-Lodge Pole and Box Elder. The Pioneers overwhelmed Box Elder by scores of 25-14, 25-20 and 25-9, and later, they crushed HLP 25-8, 25-5 and 25-6. In the match with the Bears, Big Sandy got four aces and 12 assists from Josi Herron, while Rokki Parker led Box Elder with six kills, once ace and a block. And against the Thunderbirds, Kourtney Danreuther totaled six kills and three digs for Big Sandy, and Mariah Faber served six aces. Meanwhile, in Chinook, the twotime defending district champion Chinook Sugarbeeters handed Rocky Boy its second loss in as many night. The Beeters downed the Morning Stars by scores of 25-21, 25-12 and 25-19. Cheyanne Hamilton led the way for the Beeters with eight kills and three blocks, and Brittany MacLean chipped in with nine assists and seven digs. Rocky Boy got 15 kills and four blocks from Eagleman in the losing effort. In 6C West action on Saturday, Chinook and North Star managed to stay perfect for the weekend. In Rudyard, North Star cruised past Box Elder by scores of 25-6, 25-13 and 25-11. Natasha Dyrland led the way for North Star with nine kills, while Britnee Dyrland chipped in with three blocks up front. And in Chinook, the host Beeters raced past HLP by scores of 25-11, 25-11 and 25-13 to remain unbeaten on the young season. Saturday night also saw Chester/J-I pick up two more 6C wins by beating Heart Butte and Valier in three games each in Chester.
