The next couple of matches should be another set of challenging ones for the Havre High volleyball team, which will face two more non conference opponents.
Today the Central A Blue Ponies are in Great Falls to take on the Eastern AA Great Falls High Bison. And on Saturday, the Ponies will put a cap on homecoming week as they host the 1B Conrad Cowgirls at the Havre High gymnasium at 5 p.m.
The Bison, who are sitting in the middle of the Eastern A will be a tough host for the Ponies.
Great Falls is 8-5 on the season and is coming off of two good wins. Last weekend the Bison defeated Bozeman in five games and on Tuesday the Bison defeated CMR in three.
Aubrey Beaumont and Emily Boes give the Bison a lot of hitting power. And if the Ponies block, including Juletta Don and Sarah Armstrong doesn’t come up big, the Bison kills could add up quickly.
Armstrong, Lexi Olson, Sadie Seidel and Sammy Evans have what it takes to match the hitting power of Great Falls, and they too will be key if the Ponies want to get back into the win column after a tough stretch.
Saturday the Ponies are back home for just their second home match of the season. The last time the Ponies were in the Havre High gymnasium, they suffered a tough, but hard-fought loss to Choteau in five games.
Now is as good of time as any for the Ponies to get back on track. They have struggled with many aspects of their game off and on this season with such a young squad, but have also shown signs of greatness. And with the Cowgirls being the last non conference opponent of the year, the Ponies would truly benefit from closing out non conference play with a win.
The Cowgirls will bring some talent to Havre in Jayde Richardson and Rashelle Johnson, who should lead the Cowgirl hitting. And Johnson brings a force to the front row with her block as well, as she is coming off of a weekend where she put up seven of the teams 17 kills against Cut Bank.
Peyton Filius has shown solid improvement all season long as the Ponies’ setter, and the HHS hitters have benefited. And if the Ponies could clean up their streaky serve receive and limit their errors, they will have a solid shot at defeating Conrad as well as taking strides at the divisional tournament.
Today the Ponies take on the Bison in Great Falls, and Saturday the Ponies return home to host Conrad at 5 p.m. at the HHS gymnasium.
