Havre High spikes Browning

All season long the Havre High volleyball team has been striving to put together a consistent, confident and successful volleyball team. And with another win this weekend, the Blue Ponies are showing signs that are pointing in that direction.

Saturday the Central A Ponies were in Browning where they defeated the Indians in four games. After the Ponies took game one 25-18, the Indians managed a 25-18 win in game two, but the Ponies rebounded nicely and took games three and four 25-18 and 25-16. With the win on Saturday and the win over Conrad on Thursday, the Ponies are now 4-9 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

The Indians aren't a Class A powerhouse, but the Ponies knew they weren't a pushover by any means either.

"Browning is a good team," Havre High head coach Melanie Skoyen said. "They deserve credit where it is due, and we have never experienced rallies like we did against Browning. They lasted so long and seeing our determination and being smart and aggressive, I am proud. But that is why I love playing teams like Browning, they make us better and they make us stay on our toes."

A lot of teams have given the label of scrappy to the Indians, and they proved that to be relevant against HHS. They have a roster of very talented players and never quit. They always seem to remain competitive in every game and match, and always push teams to play well for a win. HHS saw that first hand when Browning grabbed game two in the match after the Ponies began to let up and make mistakes.

But after dropping game two, the Ponies were able to make the necessary adjustments and get back on track for the last two games of the match.

"We were finally able to find some openings on the court as far as if we were going to tip and where we were going to tip," Skoyen said. "That was good because they were able to adjust as soon as I would tell them to. But we also did some spot serving, where I would call out an area to serve to and that worked for us as well."

This was just the second time the Ponies tried to spot serve and Peyton Filius benefited the most from it, leading the Ponies with three of the team's eight aces. But in a win where the Ponies showed good patience and limited their errors (after game two), the Ponies also hit and blocked very well. Sammy Evans hit unbelievably well, though the stats don't really show it. Evans had 12 of the team's 40 kills. Evans finished behind Sarah Armstong with 14 kills, but the Browning defense played a major role in stopping the Ponies power hitter.

"Sammy (Evans) was crushing the ball," Skoyen said. "She probably had one of her best hitting days all season and they were digging her. Their arms are probably still sore today because she was crushing it, but Browning's placement was perfect on defense and showed they are a very good defensive team."

Up front, the Ponies also grabbed 13 blocks. Juletta Don had four, while Armstrong had three and Evans had three. HHS also finished with 57 digs and 33 assists. Brandy Lambourne had 18 digs and Sadie Seidel had 13, while Filius had 31 assists.

"We are definitely showing what we are capable of," Skoyen said.

Saturday the Ponies will host Browning at the Havre High gymnasium.

Havre defeated Browning

25-18, 18-25, 25-18, 25-16

Havre — Digs 57 (Brandy Lambourne 18, Sadie Seidel 13). Kills 40 (Sarah Armstrong 14, Sammy Evans 12). Blocks 13 (Juletta Don 4, Sarah Armstong 3.5, Sammy Evans 3). Assists 33 (Peyton Filius 31). Aces 8 (Peyton Filius 3, Davee McLeod 2).