Huskies down Cougars at home

The Huskies came back from two sets behind to win a home match against the Columbus Cougars in Absarokee on Friday, Aug. 28.
Class B Columbus won the first two sets in the non-conference volleyball match, 25-23, 25-21, before the Huskies rallied in decisive fashion, winning the next two sets 25-10, 25-18. Class C Absarokee won the final set by 15-10.
“Last year’s match-up with Columbus went five sets as well, only with a different outcome, so Friday night’s victory was bittersweet for us,” Husky coach Tonya Steffenson said.
Seniors Emma Chandler and Colleen Culbertson led the stats for Absarokee. Chandler had 21 digs, 16 kills, 3 blocks and 20 assists. Culbertson had 12 kills, 2 blocks and 21 assists.
Senior Maisey Sheppard had six of the Huskies’ 11 aces and 17 of the team’s 81 digs in the exciting match.
“Emma Chandler and Colleen Culbertson definitely stand out on offense,” Steffenson said. “But Friday’s win came at the hands of an entire team’s effort. Everyone has a ‘role’ on the team, and each and every single one of them did their part.”
As a team, Absarokee led Columbus in digs by 81-45, kills by 50-16 and assists by 48-15.
“We have a very close group of girls, with five senior starters,” Steffenson said. “We are anxious and excited to see what this year will bring. As a coach, I couldn’t be happier with the way our season has started. We still have a lot of work to do and will be taking it one game at a time.”
Cougar leaders included senior Desirae Gibson with 7 kills, senior Kylie Gullings with 14 digs, sophomore Uluwehi Brooks with 4 aces and senior Mykaila Berry with 14 assists. Brooks and freshman Morgan Kirch each had 2 blocks.
“The match against Absarokee was a hard fought battle,” Columbus coach Jill Lowell said. “We came out on fire, and we just couldn’t finish. That is something we will be working on throughout the season. Staying mentally focused for the entire match is definitely something we need to improve on.”
Absarokee plays the Roberts Rockets away on Thursday, Sept. 3 followed by the Plenty Coups Warriors at home on Saturday, Sept. 5.
Columbus plays the Shepherd Mustangs away on Sept. 3 and the Big Timber Sheepherders away on Sept. 5.