Charlo downs rival Hot Springs

CHARLO — Senior Stephanie Maughan couldn’t have asked for a better 18th birthday present.

The setter helped her Charlo volleyball team to a 25-17, 25-20, 25-20 win over bitter-rival Hot Springs last Wednesday.

“[Hot Springs is] pretty much our biggest rival,” Maughan said. “We don’t want to lose to them. Ever. To beat them in three is like the best birthday present you can get. I was like ‘I can’t lose today. I can’t’”

In the first set, Charlo never gave up the lead, even as Hot Springs came within one point. Senior outside hitter Jaris Kelley had a couple kills to jump Charlo to the win.

In the second set, the Vikings got off to a slow start. Kelley served an ace to make it 4-3. Senior middle hitter Becky Jo Dumont killed the ball to make it 9-7 but problems behind Charlo’s block allowed Hot Springs to hold their first lead.

Sophomore setter Dawn Blevins blocked the ball and sophomore middle hitter Kinley Pope spiked it to bring the Vikings within one.

Serving from sophomore outside hitter Lindsey Merwin and a kill from Maughan put the Vikings back in front.

Kelley re-entered the game to have two kills and a solid pass to Dumont for a kill to help Charlo win the second set.

The Vikings were more stable in the third set, never giving up the lead.

With the game at 7-6 in favor of Charlo, Dumont hit the ball into the net, but Maughan saved it and Charlo got the point. Hot Springs battled back in the end but a block from Blevins and kills from Maughan and senior outside hitter Alex Esterby, the Vikings won the set.

Blevins led the team with three blocks and 21 assists. Kelley had nine kills, Dumont had four aces and Pope led with 11 digs.

Maughan said winning the game felt amazing.

“It was really intense, especially the plays that went on and on and on,” Maughan said. “I think I was holding my breath through all of them. It was awesome.”

Charlo expected the match to intense and Hot Springs to have a good showing.

“We expected to play good but we didn’t expect it all to go our way,” Maughan said. “They are really good. It was tough.”

Charlo’s advantage was staying aggressive at the net and back row, Maughan said.

The Vikings will host Mission tonight in Charlo’s senior night before making the trip to Bigfork on Friday.