Lady Vikings derailed after strong rally at Divisional tourney
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BUTTE – The Charlo Lady Vikings’ season ended after a second loss to Harrison/Willow Creek at the Divisional Western C Volleyball Tournament at the Montana Tech HPER Complex last weekend, but the Lady Vikings put up a strong fight to close out their season. On Oct. 31, Charlo played its way into the tournament by beating Philipsburg on a neutral court in Pablo, 25-20, 25-22, 18-25, 25-17.
The Vikings fought off the Prospectors early on during the opening two sets, before the Prospectors came back to win the third set.
Charlo’s defense proved to be the difference, finishing the game with 89 digs and 46 kills. Dawn Blevins led her team with 21 digs and 26 assists. Deondra Brown had an impressive performance, adding 19 kills.
The win granted Charlo a ticket to the divisional tourney in Butte, beginning Nov. 3, where they first met Harrison/Willow Creek. During the opening round game it was all Harrison, as they more than doubled the Lady Vikings in kills, 43-20, sweeping Charlo 3-0 in 25-22, 25-18, 25-16.
Charlo was led by Rachel Hoyt, who played an outstanding game to earn seven kills, while Dawn Blevins added six blocks and nine assists. Kelsie Blevins finished with 20 digs.
The loss moved Charlo to the losers’ bracket and sparked a fire among the Lady Vikings heading into Friday’s game play. Charlo first played Seeley-Swan, where the Lady Vikings kept their season alive by sweeping the Blackhawks 3-0 in 25-15, 25-16, 25-9.
Charlo was led by Brown and Kinley Pope, who had 10 kills piece. Pope added 22 digs, while Dawn Blevins added four aces.
After the win, Charlo faced a familiar foe, the Arlee Scarlets, later that day. Against Arlee, Brown had 14 kills and a pair of blocks, while Pope added 22 digs, allowing Charlo to sweep the Scarlets 3-0, in 25-18, 25-17, 25-14.
With two wins in one day, the Vikings were on a roll as they faced Drummond later that afternoon for their final game of the day. Drummond tested the Lady Vikings, and they couldn’t quite edge the Trojans in a 3-2 battle. Charlo started the game slow, losing the first two sets, 25-27, 25-19, before rallying to win the final three sets 25-23, 25-16, 15-12, and advance to Saturday.
The Lady Vikings then met again with Harrison, the team that sent them to the losers’ bracket after a 3-0 loss Nov. 3.
Charlo started slow, allowing Harrison to pick up an opening set win of 25-20. Charlo fought back, however, winning big in the second set 25-13. Harrison came back to win the following two sets 25-22, 25-21, ending Charlo’s season with an impressive 16-8 record.
Derika Stipe led Charlo with 19 assists and three aces, while Brown added 11 kills. Charlo finished with 110 digs to Harrison’s 90.
Manhattan Christian defeated Ennis 3-2 in the championship game to advance to the Class C State Tournament in Bozeman this weekend.
