Ponies keep winning; face Hardin tonight

The Havre High Blue Ponies continued their winning ways Thursday in the opening round of the State Class A Volleyball Tournament in Columbia Falls.

The Ponies started off slowly against Colstrip, losing 15-6. But Havre quickly bounced back, defeating the Fillies 15-10, 15-12, 15-8 to take the match.

Havre had 41 total kills in the game, led by senior Amy Ranes' 13 and junior Sara Suek with 11. Suek added 10 digs and two aces while Ranes led with six blocks and followed with two aces.

Senior Jayla McPherson and sister, junior Jeanna McPherson, each added five blocks as the team totaled 18. Julie Wagner led with 17 digs and three aces.

Facing the host team Columbia Falls in the next round, Havre won in four games, 13-15, 15-6, 15-7, 15-5 to advance to the semifinals tonight, where the Ponies will face Hardin.

Backed by strong play at the net, the Ponies had 17 blocks and 37 kills. Jayla McPherson led with five blocks with Ranes and Jeanna McPherson each adding four. Ranes led with 20 kills with Suek and Jeanna McPherson each adding six.

Katie Miller and Wagner combined for 31 of the team's 74 digs, as the Ponies also had tough play on the defensive end. Wagner, Jayla McPherson and Suek each had one assist to total three for the team.

Havre head coach Lacy Anderson said her team had two "pretty good matches" in the opening day and that her girls "have worked their butts off."