Huskies dominate at divisional

Eight undefeated tournament matches in a row and two titles under their belt – the Absarokee Huskies are headed to state.
Absarokee took first place at the Southern C Divisional Tournament held at Laurel High School on Nov. 5-7. The Roy-Winifred Outlaws were second, and the Park City Panthers were third.
“Tournament time is always exciting – anything can happen, from surprise victories to season-ending shockers,” Husky head coach Tonya Steffenson said. “Absarokee went into the Divisional Tournament with many goals – don’t underestimate the opponent, give 110 percent all the time, have fun and win.”
The Huskies opened up with a tough match against Grass Range-Winnett. The Rangers posted 120 digs on defense and 29 kills on offense and took the third set, but Absarokee prevailed in the end, 25-12, 26-16, 16-25, 25-14. That was the only divisional tourney match to go beyond three sets for the Huskies.
Senior Colleen Culbertson posted nine kills and 10 digs, junior Erin Campbell had five aces and eight digs, and senior Emma Chandler had 10 kills, all three blocks and 14 assists. Senior Maissey Sheppard had nine of the Huskies’ 29 kills.
The second round against Tri-City went down in three close sets, 25-23, 25-22, 25-22. The Absarokee offense nearly doubled the Titans’ with 29 kills to 17 and 12 aces to six.
Chandler had an epic match, with 13 kills, nine blocks and 14 assists. Sheppard chipped in with four aces and seven kills. Campbell and senior Makayla Peterson protected the backcourt with 46 and 27 digs respectively.
The Huskies faced the Roy-Winifred Outlaws twice. The first match went smoother than the championship match, with Chandler putting on another epic performance, posting 16 kills, nine blocks, four aces and 16 assists.
Absarokee built a wall at the net, with 19 blocks, while the backcourt held steady against the Outlaws’ hits with 100 digs, led by Campbell with 27.
If the Outlaws thought Absarokee would let their guard down in the championship match, they were quickly disappointed. The Huskies pounded Roy-Winifred with 39 kills to 22, led by Culbertson’s 15. Chandler was joined at the net by junior Katrina Feddes with two blocks apiece.
“The Divisional Tournament was full of ‘big plays.’ It was a weekend with plenty of hustle, drive, skill and passion for the game – by all the players,” Steffenson said. “I am very fortunate to be called ‘coach.’ It’s been a privilege to work with these young ladies.”
Absarokee and Roy-Winifred will head to the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on the Montana State University campus in Bozeman for the state volleyball tournament on Nov. 12-14. The Huskies will face the Powder River County Hawks of Broadus in the first round on Thursday at 4 p.m.
“We talk about goals – small goals, team goals, individual goals,” Steffenson said. “It’s no secret that reaching the State Tournament was at the top of the list. With 85 Class C schools in volleyball, it’s quite an honor to be apart of the Elite 8.”

Absarokee def. Grass Range-Winnett
25-12, 26-16, 16-25, 25-14
Absarokee: Aces 11 (Erin Campbell 5), Digs 39 (Colleen Culbertson 10, Erin Campbell 8), Kills 29 (Emma Chandler 10, Culbertson 9, Maissey Sheppard 9), Blocks 3 (Chandler 3), Assists 25 (Chandler 14).
GRW: Aces 6 (Hailey Matovich 2, Brianna Roat 2), Digs 120 (Carissa Workman 29, Matovich 23), Kills 29 (Taylor Stahl 8, Workman 7), Blocks 4 (Stahl 4), Assists 19 ( Piper Johnson 13).

Absarokee def. Tri-City
25-23, 25-22, 25-22
Absarokee: Aces 12 (Sheppard 4, Campbell 4), Digs 146 (Campbell 46, Makayla Peterson 27), Kills 29 (Chandler 13, Sheppard 7), Blocks 13 (Chandler 9), Assists 28 (Culbertson 14, Chandler 14).
Tri-City: Aces 6 (Chloe Derks 2), Digs 49 (Ember Drivdahl 10), Kills 17 (Jaegen Hughes 6), Blocks 6 (Drivdahl 6), Assists 14 (Madi Krskovich 14).

Absarokee def. Roy-Winifred
25-16, 25-22, 25-20
Absarokee: Kills 25 (Chandler 16), Assists 30 (Chandler 16), Aces 9 (Chandler 4), Digs 100 (Campbell 27), Blocks 19 (Chandler 9).
Roy-Winifred: Kills 29 (Emily Bergum 14), Assists 28 (Tyra Knerr 16), Aces 4 (Jada Kananen 2), Digs 41 (Danae McClure 21), Blocks 5 (Lorianne Stulc 2).

Championship match
Absarokee def. Roy-Winifred
26-24, 25-23, 25-15
Absarokee: Kills 39 (Culbertson 15), Blocks; 7 (Chandler 2, Katrina Feddes 2), Aces 5 (Chandler 3), Digs 117 (Sheppard 29), Assists 39 (Chandler 21).
Roy-Winifred: Kills 22 (Bergum 8, Kananen 8), Blocks 7 (Stulc 4), Aces 4 (Knerr 2), Digs 46 (McClure 21), Assists 22 (Knerr 11, Kaylie Carl