Lady Pirates punch ticket to State

The Lady Pirates punched their ticket to the State A Volleyball tournament in Bozeman on Thursday, winning two matches at Divisionals, and notching their fourth straight trip to State. They’ll be joined by fellow Northwest A team Whitefish which took third at the regional tournament.

“Overall, I think we played pretty well,” Polson Head Coach Lizzy Cox said. “Obviously, it's better to be the first seed than the fourth seed, but we are excited to get to have another week in the gym.”

Divisionals started on Thursday, Nov. 2, as the Pirates were defeated 25-17, 19-25, 25-23, 25-14 by Frenchtown.

McKenna Hanson notched 10 kills for the Lady Pirates, as did Hannah Simpson. Avery Starr made 28 assists, while Julia Barnard had 24 digs and two aces.

“Frenchtown is a big team and we weren't able to get our block going and put balls away,” Cox said. “I think we improved throughout the tournament and served and passed really well the second day.”

This moved them into the consolation bracket, where they swept Columbia Falls on Friday morning and then defeated Dillon 26-28, 25-20, 25-16, 25-18. Hanson led the team again with 10 kills against the Wildkats, while Starr had 22 assists, Barnard had 28 digs and Hanson added three aces.

Against Dillon, Hanson had 12 kills in the matchup while Hannah Simpson had four aces and Starr dealt out 27 assists.

Polson was then swept by Hamilton to take fourth in the Divisional tournament. Hanson had 11 kills in the matchup, while Barnard had 24 digs and Star had 20 assists.

For tournament totals, Hanson led the Pirates with 43 kills and seven aces. She also had 57 digs. Starr posted 97 assists in bracket play, and also had 41 digs, three blocks, 17 kills and five aces. Barnard led all Lady Pirates with 90 digs and had seven aces. Kellyn Nelson had a Polson-leading five blocks for the tournament.

Samantha Rensvold also had 26 kills and 45 digs, while Simpson had 24 kills, six aces and 12 digs.

“We are excited to be going to the State tournament again this year,” Cox said. “We have some younger girls on our roster and it's important for the program to give them the opportunity to experience the state tournament. We feel if we play our best, we can play with anyone, so we're grateful and excited to have earned the chance to compete in Bozeman.”

Polson will play Hardin on Thursday at noon at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman.

“We played Hardin at the Blocktober Tournament in Butte so we have seen a little bit,” Cox said. “They are a talented team with returning players and we will need to play our best to beat them.”

“Once you reach the state tournament, you can't really have an off-game,” she added. “Everyone is there because they have been able to play at a high level and beat other talented teams.”

    The Lady Pirates celebrate their impending trip to Bozeman for the State A Volleyball Tournament. (Bob Gunderson photo)
  

    Polson's Mckenna Hanson hits past Dillon's blockers during the Divisional Tournament. (Bob Gunderson photo)
  

Lady Pirate Avery Staff sets to Carli Maley during the Divisional Tournament in Polson. The Pirates won one and lost two during last week's state tournament in Bozeman – their third in a row. (Bob Gunderson photo)