By Tiffany L. Rehbein
The Havre Blue Ponies found the way.
At least they found the way to defeat the District 2B Chinook Sugarbeeters, which they did 15-6, 15-5, 15-4 at Chinook Thursday.
"Our passing was outstanding," said head coach Bill Huebsch. "We really controlled the ball well."
Senior Erin Patera led the team in digs and kills. Patera had a game-high eight kills and tallied 12 digs in the match.
Senior Tiffany Shrauger collected eight digs and notched a season-high six aces for the Ponies.
"Patera had a great hitting and passing game," Huebsch said. "Shrauger had a great passing game and led us in aces. Everybody really contributed."
Senior Jana McPherson tallied five kills, while junior Nikki Grant, and sophomores Jeri Matter and Jayla McPherson had one block apiece.
Kirsten Kuka and Lisa Wagner split the setting responsibilities, collecting nine and eight assists, respectively.
Sophomore Amy Ranes also had two aces. The Blue Ponies served 92 percent in the match.
"I was really happy with how we came out from start to finish," Huebsch said.
Caroline Moores led the Chinook attack with six kills. Renda Birky and Jacy Sheppard tallied two blocks apiece for the Sugarbeeters.
"We have been working on our block and I saw good improvement," said Paula Molyneaux, Chinook head coach. "Defensively, I think the kids played pretty well."
Kelsie Whitney and Moores notched 10 digs apiece in the contest.
Amanda Schoen, who also played tough at the net, had the lone ace for Chinook.
The Sugarbeeters (1-1, 3-1) travel to Glasgow today to take on the third-ranked Scotties in conference action.
The Ponies (1-1, 7-2) travel to Lewistown for a conference match on Saturday.
"I think we've built good momentum going into Fergus," Huebsch said. The freshman start at 4:15, with varsity beginning at 7 p.m.
Havre def. Chinook 15-6, 15-5, 15-4
Havre -- Kills 23 (Erin Patera 8); Blocks 4 (Jayla McPherson, Nikki Grant, Jeri Matter); Assists 20 (Kristen Kuka 9); Digs 42 (Patera 12); Aces 10 (Tiffany Shrauger 6)
Chinook -- Kills 13 (Caroline Moores 6); Blocks 5 (Renda Birky 2, Jacy Sheppard 2); Assists 5 (Kelsie Whitney 5); Digs 42 (Whitney 10, Moores 10) Aces 1 (Amanda Schoen).
