Season Recap

The Lady Pirates will now host the Western A Divisional at Linderman Gym the first weekend of November. Northwest second-seeded Polson will attempt to corral the Southwest third-seed Lady Broncs of Frenchtown in the first round early morning contest, the winner advancing to the semifinals that evening, while the loser draws another early morning contest the following day.

The Lady Pirates did not face the Lady Broncs during the course of the regular schedule. But both teams are familiar with one another from encounters during the course of a pair of tournaments. The two squads split at the beginning of season Tip-Off in late August. At the mid-October Blocktober Classic held in Butte, Frenchtown squeezed by in pool play 30-27. But Polson prevailed in bracket competition 2-1. Both squads split the first two regulation sets, with Polson emerging victorious in the closely contested shortened 15 point third set. The Lady Pirates would make the consolation third-place match, ultimately placing fourth in the championship bracket among the highest seeded teams from pool play.

The Frenchtown roster features 6-2 middle blocker Mason Quinn, who is the niece of PHS science teacher Joe Quinn. They also feature 5-10 middle Analiese Martin.  In games of inches, always helps to have a few at one’s disposal. The pair along with frosh outside hitter Rachel Walls have accrued century club credentials at the net during the regular season with over a hundred spikes each. Walls, junior libero McKenna Kreis and setter Addison Romine lead the charge at the service line with over two dozen service aces, with Khloe Rausch not far behind with aces among the low 20’s. The tandem of talls Quinn along with Martin, Carah Evans and Romine have each contributed two dozen or better block assist snuffs at the net on defense. Defensive diggin dynamos include the quintet of Walls, Kreis, Romine, Iris Arlint and Rausch, who have each tallied century club credentials for digs with a hundred or better each.

The Lady Pirates have the capability to not only match up with any of the teams in the tournament, but to counter their strengths. Polson was able to avenge regular season losses to both Hamilton and Whitefish at the Blocktober Classic. They split their regular season slate with early wins against both Columbia Falls and Bigfork. Both losses to the latter squads extended to a fifth set finale.

The Lady Pirates have a quartet who have delved into the double digit domain for spikes at the net over the course of the regular season, seasoned seniors Mckenna Hanson and Hannah Simpson frequenting teen tallies if not low 20’s on an optimal outing. 

When it comes to rocking the service line with sizzling serves, Avery Starr may shine the brightest with the most fresh out of the oven too hot to handle potatoes. But a half dozen others that include Hanson, Simpson, Carli Maley, Julia Barnard, Samantha Rensvold and Sierra Perez have each had multiple ace outings at various junctures of the season. Reserve Arianna Fisher even smoked a pair of aces in one contest.

When it comes to putting the kibosh on kill attempts at the net with snuffs, the trio of sophomore Kellyn Nelson, Starr and Maley tend to be the most prolific beaucoup blockers. Further back from the net, Julia Barnard is the most dapper defensive diggin dynamo, most recently posting a season high tally of 33 digs in the regular season finale. But Hanson, Simpson, Starr along with Rensvold frequently delve into the double digit domain for digs on defense over the course of contests, with reserve Sierra Perez joining them on a couple of occasions.

The goal of the Lady Pirates will be to maximize their home court advantage with optimal performances. The obvious focus of each team will be upon acquisition of the top prize of Western A champion. But at the very least, making the top four to ensure their team extends their season by advancing their way to the State A stage.

Lady Pirate volleyball quintet reap all-conference accolades

by John Heglie

2023 Polson Lady Pirates (8-4nwa, 12-9)

Five Lady Pirate volleyball players were acknowledged for their athletic acumen around the court  by being named to the all-conference list.

A pair of Pirates with a penchant for proficient play were accentuated all-state while concurrently named to the first team. After missing most of last season on account of injury, outside hitter Mckenna Hanson was on a mission to make up for lost time as she led  team attack at the net with spikes among the mid-200s over the course of 21 regulation length contests that included a trio of tallies in the 20s among 17 that delved into the domain of double digits. She was also second-leading contributor on the team in a pair of other categories, defensive digs among the low-200s and over 40 service aces.  With the addition of two tournament contributions, Hanson notched more than another hundred kills as well as digs to acquire a pair of triple century credentials in both categories while acquiring half century credentials at the service line on the season. This was the second all-conference accolade for Hanson, a second-team nom two seasons ago.

Repeating all-state is setter Avery Starr, who led team LP at the service line with over five dozen service aces over the course of regulation length contests while cresting the century threshold when tournament contributions are integrated. Starr shined as chief table setter, dishing out assists that tallied into the high 800s when tournament tallies are factored in. This was the third all-conference first-team acknowledgement for Starr.

Named to the first-team is libero/defensive specialist Julia Barnard, who like many Jules, sparkled under the lights as defensive diggin dynamo. She led  the team with digs among the high 300s in regulation length contests while cresting the half millennial mark when tournament contributions are integrated. Barnard turned in a career high 33 digs on senior night and tallied among the 20s in eight other contests this season. Barnard also manufactured more moxie at the service line, averaging better than a service ace per contest. This was the second all-conference accolade for Barnard, an honorable mention last season.

A pair of other Lady Pirates received honorable mention among the all-conference list. Versatile Samantha Rensvold was the third leading spiker at the net as well as digging dynamo on defense, posting century club credentials in both categories. When Rensvold wasn't slamming at the net or digging on defense, Sam sizzled at the service line by throwing strikes for aces in over two thirds of regulation contests, nine of which she stroked multiple aces. This was a repeat honorable mention for Rensvold.

Lastly, but by no means least, is honorable mention outside hitter Hannah Simpson, who was team second-leading spiker with eight double figure outings. Simpson also laid down the law from behind the service line with eight multiple ace outings while racking up four dozen service aces when tournament contributions are factored in. Simpson also arrested opponent momendum by posting century club credentials for digs on defense. This was the second all-conference acknowledgement for Simpson, a second-team nom last season.

The quintet of seasoned seniors depart leaving some sizeable shoes to fill. The fab five were integral components of three successive trips to the State A stage, contributing to the pinnacle of the Pirate program with a third place finish in 2021. Spanning a trio of seasons, departing seniors have collectively collaborated on slamming over 1500 kills, stroked over 500 service aces, snuffed over a hundred blocks and excavated out over 2600 digs on defense.

 

 

2023 Ronan Maidens (6-6nwa, 7-8)

A promising start to the season was disrupted by a rash of injuries and illness down the stretch, denying the Maidens a chance to showcase their wares on a postseason platform. Despite such disappointments, Ronan had a trio of players named to the all-conference list.

Receiving a second-team nom is fab frosh middle blocker Mckenna Corley, who was the Maiden leading spiker as well as blocker until forced to sit out the final two games.

The Maidens also placed a pair on the all-conference list as honorable mentions. Setter Seattle Adams led the team at the service line with over two dozen regulation length game aces while cresting the triple century threshold for dishing assists. Middle blocker Lauryn Buhr overtook team leader for both spikes as well as overall blocks down the stretch, cresting the century plateau for kills while snuffing over two dozen overall blocks.

 

2023 VB postseason accolades

 

2023 Northwest A

WHITEFISH – (a-s): Brooke Zetooney, Isabelle Hartwig; (2nd-tm): Myli Ridgeway; (hm): Bailey Smith, Ainsley Scott; (COY): Addy Connelly.

POLSON – (a-s): Avery Starr, Mckenna Hanson; (1st-tm): Julia Barnard; (hm): Samantha Rensvold, Hannah Simpson.

BIGFORK – (1st-tm): Ava Davey; (2nd-tm): Taylor Howlett.

COLUMBIA FALLS – (2nd-tm): Maddie Moutray, Emalee Alton.

RONAN – (2nd-tm): Mckenna Corley; (hm): Seattle Adams, Lauryn Buhr.

BROWNING – (2nd-tm): Jerel WhiteGrass; (hm): Natalee St.Goddard.

Note: All-staters are concurrent recipients of first-team designations as well.

 

2023 Southwest A

HAMILTON – (a-s): Mya Winkler (MVP), Aurie Duncan; (2nd-tm): Ciara Hanley; (hm): Cierra Cole.

DILLON – (a-s): Leila Racicot-Stennerson; (2nd-tm): Ariel Thomas; (hm): Sage Tash, Kylie Konen.

FRENCHTOWN – (a-s): Rachel Walls, Addi Romine, Mason Quinn; (2nd-tm): Analiese Martin; (hm): McKenna Kreis.

CORVALLIS – (2nd-tm): Elli Davis, Meredith Buhler; (hm): Olivia Lewis.

STEVENSVILLE – (hm): Shilo McLain-Lampi.

BUTTE CENTRAL – (2nd-tm): Ella Moodry.

 

Accrued athletic accolade acknowledgements

Mckenna Hanson (VB a-s, 2x a-c: 1st-tm 2023, 2nd-tm 2021; SB 3x a-s, 3x a-c 1st-tm 2023-21), Avery Starr (VB 2x a-s, 3x a-c 1st-tm 2023-21; SB 2x a-c 2nd-tm 2023-22), Hannah Simpson (VB 2x a-c: 2nd-tm 2022, hm 2023): Julia Barnard (VB 2x a-c: 1st-tm 2023, hm 2022; GBB a-c 2nd-tm 2023-22; TN a-c: D3rd 2023div), Sam Rensvold (VB 2x a-c hm 2023-22; SB a-c 1st-tm 2023), Head Coach Lizzy Cox (VB 2x NWA COY 2022-21).

 

Cumulative career compilation (seniors only)

Mckenna Hanson >2yr (671K,108A,83S,12B,667D); Hannah Simpson >2yr(567K,103A,28S,25B,377D); Avery Starr 3yr(204K,221A,2261S,55½B,667D); Julia Barnard >2yr(16K,46A,72S,914D); Carli Maley >1yr (128K,21A,8S,27½B,40D).

 

Cumulative career annual breakdown

2023(reg14gms + post7gms + 2trny), 2022(reg14gms + post7gms + 2trny), 2021(reg12gms[13-1] + post9gms + 1½trny)

Mckenna Hanson >2yr (>33gm + 5trny) (2023:369K,56A,50S,1B,334D; to2022: 31K,9A,2S,19D; 2021: >237K,>29A,>28S,>2B,>268D; 2020:34K, 14A, ≈3s, 9B, ≈46D).

Avery Starr 3yr(54gms + 5½trny) (2023:111K,103A,873S,25B,235D; 2022 69K,67A,822S,29bs3ba,252D; 2021:>24K,>51A,>556S,>6B,>180D).

Julia Barnard >2yr(>42gms + 4½trny) (2023:6K,35A,55S,543D; 2022:10K,10A,14S,247D; 2021:1A,3S,124D).

Hannah Simpson >2yr(>42gms + 4½trny) (2023:262K,48A,16S,15B,180D; 2022:274K,49A,10S,10B,168D; 2021: 31K,6A,2S,29D).

Carli Maley >1yr (2023:127K,20A,8S,27½B,40D; 2022:1K,1A).

 

Cumulative stat spec figures unable to incorporate 2021 Tip-Off pool play data nor 2021 Hamilton game data due to technical difficulties with iPad. Some other 2021 regular schedule games lack comprehensive specs beyond top category contributors.

 

reg14gms + post7gms + Tip-Off + Blocktober

Fall2023VB Polson tmLP (1162K,324A,1071S,108B,1763D) – Mckenna Hanson (369K,56A,50S,1B,334D), Avery Starr (111K,103A,873S,25B,235D), Julia Barnard (6K,35A,55S,543D), Samantha Rensvold (148K,37A,35S,5B,255D), Hannah Simpson (262K,48A,16S,15B,180D), Carli Maley (127K,20A,8S,27½B,40D), Kellyn Nelson (115K,3A,3S,28½B,45D), Sierra Perez (2K,13A,8S,93D), Aleysia Black (3K,7A,1S,2B,16D), Rylee Taylor-Jefferson (2A,9S,8D), Josie Henriksen (11K,1S,5B,5D), Arianna Fisher (1K,3A,1S,5D), Lizzie Cunningham (1K,3D), Vivian Lazaro (3K,5S)

 

Fall2023vb tmLP reg14gms + div4gms +st3gms + Tip-Off + Blocktober

Mckenna Hanson 2023(reg193K + div43K + st27K + to53k + bc53k = mh369K); (reg31A + div7A + st3A + to8A + bc7A = 56Amh); (27S + div3S + st2S + to9s + bc9s = 50S); (1B); (reg136D + div57D + st27D + to32d + bc82d = 334D)

 

Avery Starr 2023(reg50K + div17K + st14K + to9k + bc21k = as111K); (reg50A + div5A + st5A + to13a + bc29a = 103A); (reg440S + div97A + st75S + to121s + bc140s = 873S); (reg18½B + div3B + st½B  + to0b + bc3b = 25B); (reg95D + div41D + st26D + to25d + bc48d = 235D).

 

Julia Barnard 2023(reg3K + div0 + st1K + to1k + bc1k = 6K); (reg12A + div7A + st4A + to5a + bc7a = 35A); (reg20S + div12S + st9S + to5s + bc9s = 55S); (0B); (reg252D + div90D + st42D + to48d + bc111d = jb543D).

 

Sam Rensvold 2023(reg72K + div26K + st10K + to7k + bc33k = sr148K); (reg23A + div6A + st1A + to3a + bc4a = sr37A); (reg15S + div6S + st4S + to5s + bc5s = sr35S); (reg2B + div0B + st1B + to0b + bc2b = sr5B); (reg121D + div45D + st25D + to26d + bc38d = sr255D).

 

Hannah Simpson 2023(reg118K + div24K + st32K + to51k + bc37k = hs262K); (reg18A + div6A + st8A + to13a + bc3a = hs48A); (reg6S + div0S + st4S + to3s + bc3s = hs16S); (reg4B + div1B + st4B + to2b + bc4b = hs15B); (reg 109D + div12D + st5D + to33d + bc21d = hs180D).

 

Carli Maley 2023(reg59K + div17K + st12K + 16k + bc23k = cm127K); (reg13A + div1A + st0A + to6a + bc0a = cm20A); (reg3S + div2S + st0S + to2s + bc1s = cm8S); (reg14B + div2B + st4½B + to1B + bc6B = cm27½B); (reg24D + div3D + st0D + to5d + bc8d = cm40D).

 

Kellyn Nelson 2023(reg66K + div6K + st5K + to15k + bc23k = kn115K); (to3a = 3A); (to1s + bc2s = 3S); (reg16½B + div5B + st1B + to2b + bc4b = kn28½B); (reg25D + div7D + st1D + to7d + bc5d = kn45D).

Friday-Saturday, August 25-26, 2023

2023Polson Lady Pirates (TO:159K,54A,148S,9B,181D) finished 4th

Hannah Simpson (51K,13A,3S,2B,33D), Mckenna Hanson (53K,8A,9S,32D), Avery Starr (9K,13A,121S,25D), Carli Maley (16K,6A,2S,1B,5D), Kellyn Nelson (15K,3A,1S,2B,7D), Sam Rensvold (7K,3A,5S,26D), Julia Barnard (1K,5A,5S,48D), Josie Henriksen (4K,4B,2D), Sierra Perez (1K,2A,1D), Arianna Fisher (1K,1A,1D), Lizzie Cunningham (1K,1D), Vivian Lazaro (2S).

POLSON TOtrny – 159KILLS (Mckenna 53k, Hannah 51k, Carli 16k, Kellyn 15k, Avery 9k, Sam 7k, Josie 4k, Jules 1k, Sierra 1k, Lizzie 1k, Arianna 1k); 54ACES (Avery 13a, Hannah 13a, Mckenna 8a, Carli 6, Jules 5a, Sam 3a, Kellyn 3a, Sierra 2a, Arianna 1a); 148SETS (Avery 121s, Mckenna 9s, Jules 5s, Sam 5s, Hannah 3s, Carli 2s, Vivian 2s, Kellyn 1s); 9BLOCKS (Josie 4B, Hannah 2B, Kellyn 2B, Carli 1B); 181DIGS (Jules 48d, Hannah 33d, Mckenna 32d, Sammy 26d, Avery 25d, Kellyn 7d, Carli 5d, Josie 2d, Sierra 1d, Lizzie 1d, Arianna 1d). 

Acronym key: K(kill), A(service ace), S(set assist), B(block), bs(solo block), ba(block assist), D(dig)

 

2023 NWA/SWA Tip-Off VB tournament

Columbia Falls gym

Friday-Saturday, August 25-26

 

Seeded place standings

1, Dillon; 2, Whitefish; 3, Frenchtown; 4, Polson; 5, Bigfork; 6, Hamilton; 7, C-Falls; 8, Stevensville; 9, Corvallis; 10, Browning; 11, Ronan; 12, Butte Central.

 

Seeded place matches

#1s – Dillon swept Whitefish 25-19, 25-13

#2s – Frenchtown def. Polson 25-8, 23-25, 15-14

#3s – Bigfork swept Hamilton 25-17, 26-24

#4s – Columbia Falls swept Stevensville 25-19, 25-19

#5s – Corvallis swept Browning 26-24, 25-20

#6s – Ronan swept Butte Central 25-16, 25-23

 

Pool play standings

NWA: Whitefish (10-2), Polson (9-3), Bigfork (8-4), C-Falls (7-5), Browning (6-6), Ronan (5-7), Libby (0-12)

SWA: Dillon (11-3), Frenchtown (10-4), Hamilton (8-6), Stevensville (5-9), Corvallis (4-10), Butte Central (3-11)

 

Polson split w/Frenchtown 23-25, 25-12

Polson split w/Dillon 17-25, 25-19

Polson swept Butte Central 25-15, 25-15

Polson split w/Hamilton 25-20, 24-25

Polson swept Corvallis 25-17, 25-9

Polson swept Stevensville 25-16, 25-18

 

Ronan split w/ Dillon 25-18, 20-25

Ronan split w/ Butte Central 15-25, 25-24

Hamilton def. Ronan 25-19, 25-23

Ronan split w/Corvallis 25-15, 16-25

Ronan def. Stevensville 25-17, 25-24

Frenchtown def. Ronan 25-17, 25-15

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Polson def. Corvallis 3-0

Lady Pirates (1-0), Lady Blue Devils (0-1)

Polson def. Corvallis 25-21, 25-11, 25-17

KILLS – C14 (Olivia Lewis 6, Shayle Weidow 4), P33 (Mckenna Hanson 12, Hannah Simpson 6, Carli Maley 5, Sam Rensvold 4, Kellyn Nelson 3, Starr 2, Josie Henriksen). ACES – C5 (Vivian Potter 3), P8 (Maley 3, Rensvold 3, Hanson 2). ASSISTS – C11 (Potter 11), P31 (Starr 26, Vivian Lazaro 3, Barnard, Maley). BLOCKS – C2 (Meredith Buhler, O.Lewis), P6 (Starr 4, Maley, Nelson). DIGS – C48 (Elli Davis 16, Dakota Powell 11), P46 (Julia Barnard 14, Rensvold 9, Hanson 8, Starr 7, Simpson 7, Maley). (Sa02Sep23) C11tae/P17tae, C8se/P9se

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Hamilton def. Polson 3-2

Lady Pirates (1-1), Lady Broncs (2-0)

Hamilton def. Polson 27-29, 18-25, 25-19, 25-21, 15-2

KILLS – H28 (Mya Winkler 11, Aurie Duncan 10), P49 (Mckenna Hanson 21, Hannah Simpson 13, Starr 6, Kellyn Nelson 4, Sam Rensvold 2, Carli Maley 2, Barnard). ACES – H12 (Dawson Ekin 4), P12 (Avery Starr 5, Maley 2, Rensvold 2, Barnard 2, Simpson). ASSISTS – H21 (Ekin 16, Duncan 5), P44 (Starr 36, Hanson 3, Barnard 3, Rensvold, Simpson). BLOCKS – H8 (Winkler 3bs4ba), P4 (Starr 2, Simpson, Hanson). DIGS – H39 (Jenna Ellis 12, Ekin 8), P77 (Julia Barnard 25, Rensvold 18, Simpson 15, Hanson 13, Starr 8, Maley 2, Nelson, Sierra Perez). (Sa02Sep23) H17tae/P36tae, H3se/P14se (set5:1K,6tae)

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Polson def. Browning 3-0

Lady Pirates (1-0, 2-1), Lady Indians (0-2, 0-3)

Polson def. Browning 25-11, 25-9, 25-16

POLSON – P31kills (Mckenna Hanson 11, Hannah Simpson 6, Carli Maley 6, Starr 4, Rensvold 2, Kellyn Nelson, Josie Henriksen); P12aces (Sam Rensvold 3, Hanson 2, Starr 2, Arianna Fisher 2, Maley,  Barnard, Simpson); P25set assists (Starr 21, Rensvold 2, Barnard, Fisher); P3blocks (Starr, Simpson, Nelson); P77digs (Julia Barnard 8, Rensvold 6, Simpson 4, Hanson 4, Starr 4, Maley 2, Nelson, Fisher, Henriksen). (Th07Sep23) P9tae/P8se

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Polson def. Libby 3-0

Lady Pirates (2-0, 3-1), Lady Loggers (0-2, 0-4)

Polson def. Libby 25-14, 25-12, 25-7

KILLS – P31 (Mckenna Hanson 7, Hannah Simpson 6, Kellyn Nelson 5, Josie Henriksen 5, Sam Rensvold 3, Starr 3, Barnard, Sierra Perez), L6 (Peyton Weggonner 2); ACES – P10 (Simpson 3, Starr 3, Barnard 2, Rensvold 2), L2 (Lyndee McElmurry 2). SETS/ASSISTS – P27 (Avery Starr 22, Hanson 3, Simpson 2),L2 (Addy Gilden-Vincent, Rylee Delmas). BLOCKS – P1 (Nelson 1bs), L1 (Mylie Rayome 1ba, McElmurry 1ba). DIGS – P23 (Julia Barnard 8, Nelson 4, Hanson 3, Rensvold 3, Simpson 3, Starr 2), L19 (Gilden-Vincent 8, Weggonner 3, Delmas 3). (Sa09Sep23) P9tae/L17tae, P15se/L6se

variants – set3(iStatVB: L7, MaxP: L8)

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Saturday, September 16, 2023

Pirates prevail in Rez rivalry wrangle

by John Heglie

At Linderman Gym for Polson's Homecoming week finale, the visiting Maidens and the host Lady Pirates spiked it out in classic cross-couinty clash fashion. After the visitors captured the first set, the hosts countered by evening at one apiece at the culmination of second set action. Momendum would hinge on the swing of the strategic third set, which tied four times in the early going before the Maidens cobbled together a precarious multiple point edge. After a Hannah Simpson spike pulled narrowed the deficit to 15-14, Sierra Perez entered the contest to rock the service line with back-to-back service aces to edge the Lady Pirates ahead 16-15. The contest would tie thrice more among the high teens before Polson edged ahead 21-19 to force a Ronan timeout. The Maidens would knot the contest at two dozen apiece, but the Lady Pirates would close it out the set to take a 2-1 advantage.

The fourth set would tie at four apiece, but thereafter was heavily laced with Lady Pirate offensive output that included a quintet of spikes from Mckenna Hanson, another quartet from Kellyn Nelson and the third service ace by Sierra Perez.

Polson def. Ronan 3-1

Lady Pirates (3-1, 4-2) Maidens (2-2, 3-3)

Polson def. Ronan 18-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-7

KILLS – R22 (Lauryn Buhr 7, Adams 6, Kelch 3, Corley 2, Zailee Hewankorn 2, Maddy Illig, Sierra Blood), P48 (Mckenna Hanson 21, Hannah Simpson 9, Sam Rensvold 9, Nelson 6, Starr 2, Carli Maley). ACES – R4 (Adams, Corley, Hewankorn, Marengo), P9 (Sierra Perez 3, Starr 2, Hanson 2, Simpson, Barnard). ASSISTS – R22 (Seattle Adams 15, Santos 3, Marengo 2, Corley, Woll), P44 (Avery Starr 41, Hanson 2, Barnard). BLOCKS – R3 (Kylee Kelch 1bs1ba, Adams 1ba, Buhr 1ba, Corley 1ba), P1 (Kellyn Nelson 1bs). DIGS – R74 (Mckenna Corley 15, Kaydance Santos 11, Kailyn Marengo 11, Bailee Woll 10, Adams 8, Buhr 7, Illig 5, Hewankorn 4, Blood, Kelch, Nevaeh Perez), P55 (Julia Barnard 15, Rensvold 12, Simpson 9, Starr 9, Hanson 6, S.Perez 2, Maley, Nelson). (Sa16Sep23) R16tae/P26tae, R4se/P18se

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Pirates purr-vent Cat-astrophic capsize, purr-vail over clash with Kats

by John Heglie

At Linderman Gym in Polson, the host Lady Pirates battled the visiting WildKats during four regulation length sets that all delved into the 20s for both squads. Polson took control early with a 2-0 set advantage, then weathered a visitor surge as the Kats clawed their way back to even the sets at two apiece, forcing a fifth set finale showdown for the match. The Lady Pirates were able to harness enough momentum while holding the ferocity of their feline foes in check to capture the match finale 15-12.

Mckenna Hanson and Hannah Simpson both notched spikes among the mid-teens to lead the Polson offense at the net. The Lady Pirates sizzled at the service line by launching a dozen too hot to handle rockets for aces. The defensive back court saw a quintet of players reach double digits for digs, led by the dynamic duo presidential presence of Julia Barnard and Simpson (Prez  & VP), who combined for 44 digs between the pair.

Polson def. Columbia Falls 3-2

Lady Pirates (4-1, 5-2), WildKats (3-2, 3-3)

Polson def. C-Falls 25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 22-25, 15-12

KILLS – CF47 (Maddie Moultray 15, Alton 11, Stutsman 7), P48 (Mckenna Hanson 17, Hannah Simpson 16, Kellyn Nelson 6, Rensvold 5, Starr 3, Maley). ACES – CF5 (Ellie Stutsman 2), P12 (Sam Rensvold 3, Simpson 3, Hanson 2, Starr 2, Maley, Barnard). ASSISTS – CF45 (Kierra Kemppainen 42, Rensel 3), P47 (Avery Starr 38, Rensvold 4, Barnard 2, Maley, Simpson, Hanson). BLOCKS – CF5 (Sadie Cheff 3, Moultray, Stutsman), P3 (Carli Maley 2, Starr). DIGS – CF82 (Emalee Alton 27, Demye Rensel 18, Moultray 16), P96 (Julia Barnard 27, Simpson 17, Starr 14, Hanson 13, Rensvold 11, Sierra Perez 7, Maley 6, Nelson). (Tu19Sep23) CF23tae/P22tae, CF11se/P11se

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Pirates capsize Valkyries in Battle of the Bays

by John Heglie

At Bigfork, the visiting Lady Pirate spikers swept the host Valkyries in straight sets to capture the first round of their now annual Battle between the Bays on Flathead Lake series. Mckenna Hanson and Kellyn Nelson combined for fifteen spikes to offset the offense of the Valkyries at the net. Polson likewise established an edge at the service line with Avery Starr serving up a half dozen too hot to handle sizzlers. Defensive efforts were comparable for both clubs with Bigfork holding a single contribution edge in both blocks and digs.

Polson def. Bigfork 3-0

Lady Pirates (5-1, 6-2), Valkyries (2-3, 3-3)

Polson def. Bigfork 25-18, 25-23, 25-17

KILLS – P31 (Mckenna Hanson 8, Nelson 7, Hannah Simpson 4, Carli Maley 4, Sam Rensvold 4, Starr 3, Barnard), B13 (Ava Davey 4). ACES – P12 (Avery Starr 6, Hanson 2, Rensvold, Simpson, Maley, Barnard), B7 (Taylor Howlett 2). SET ASSISTS – P29 (Starr 25, Barnard 2, Hanson, Simpson), B12 (Piper Linson 11). BLOCKS –  P5 (Kellyn Nelson 3bs, Maley 2ba, Starr 2ba), B6 (Piper Lee 4ba). DIGS – P42 (Julia Barnard 11, Simpson 11, Hanson 8, Rensvold 6, Starr 4, Maley), B43 (Tessa Troyer 11, Davey 10). (Th21Sep23) P19tae/B15tae, P12se/B6se

Friday, September 29, 2023

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Conference clash rematch goes to the Dogs

by John Heglie

At Whitefish, the visiting Lady Pirates and the host Lady Bulldogs clashed in a rematch with the NWA Conference lead hinging on the outcome. Whitefish had rallied to pull out their earlier encounter 3-2 after the Lady Pirates had staked themselves to a two set advantage in the early going. Polson’s plan was to return the favor by walking away with a win despite Lady Bulldog home court advantages.

The game started out favorably for Polson as they captured the first set. But thereafter, Whitefish elevated their level of play to coincide with the caliber of their competition, pulling out the remaining tightly contested regulation sets to capture the match despite Polson holding an edge in spike differential at the net. The Lady Pirates trio of Carli Maley, Mckenna Hanson and Hannah Simpson each notched double digits as they collaborating on 31 kills.  The two teams combined for a dozen aces with Whitefish holding a slight edge at the service line. On defense, Julia Barnard and Hanson were close to collaborating on three dozen digs. But the Bulldogs delivered on defense with a double digit dig differential, keeping enough balls alive to return the other way. 

 

Whitefish def. Polson 3-1

Lady Pirates (6-2, 7-3), Lady Bulldogs (8-1, 8-2)

Whitefish def. Polson 22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-18

KILLS – P44 (Carli Maley 11, Mckenna Hanson 10, Hannah Simpson 10, Sam Rensvold 8, Starr 3, Nelson 2), W37 (Isabella Hartwig 11, Brooke Zetooney 10). ACES – P5 (Starr 2, Simpson 2, Barnard), W7 (Blackwell 2, Zetooney 2). SETS/ASSISTS – P41 (Starr 36, Rensvold 3, Hanson 2), W32 (Ainsley Scott 19, Kaydence Blackwell 9). BLOCKS –  P7 (Kellyn Nelson 4bs, Maley 2bs, Simpson 1bs), W8 (Hartwig 6bs1ba, Hailey Ells 1bs1ba). DIGS – P50 (Julia Barnard 18, Hanson 16, Rensvold 6, Starr 5, Simpson 3, Maley, Sierra Perez), W60 (Myli Ridgeway 16, Scott 13, Bailey Smith 10). (Tu03Oct23) P24tae/W9tae, P10se/W8se

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Pinked out Pirates prevail to lop Loggers

by John Heglie

At Linderman Gym in Polson on Pink Out night to raise cancer awareness, the host Lady Pirates bounced back after being bitten by Bulldogs in their preceding match by culminating a sweep of the visiting Lady Loggers from Libby. After varsity starters dictated the tempo the duration of the first two sets, reserves would see substantial action during the course of the third set. Though Sierra Perez sizzled at the service line by serving up four aces and frosh setter Rylee Taylor-Jefferson set the table for her fellow reserve mates for another half dozen spikes, Libby cobbled their way back into the set that would emerge in their favor after stretching into extras. Thereafter, rested regulars finished out the remainder of the match.

The seasoned senior contingent of Mckenna Hanson, Hannah Simpson, Carly Maley, Avery Starr and Julia Barnard collaborated on 18 kills, eight aces and 19 digs. At an early juncture during the third set, Sam Rensvold served up a trio aces in a row (7-8-9 to 3) that precipitated a Libby timeout.

Polson def. Libby 3-1

Lady Pirates (7-2, 8-3), Lady Loggers (0-9, 0-11)

Polson def. Libby 25-10, 25-14, 24-26, 25-8

POLSON – 29kills (Mckenna Hanson 7, Hannah Simpson 4, Carli Maley 4, Kellyn Nelson 4, Vivian Lazaro 3, Starr 2, Aleysia Black 2, Rensvold,  Josie Henriksen, Barnard); 12aces (Sierra Perez 4, Sam Rensvold 3, Starr 2, Hanson, Maley, Barnard); P27assists (Avery Starr 17, Rylee Taylor-Jefferson 6, Hanson 2, Barnard, Rensvold); 4blocks (Nelson 2, Henriksen, Black); 34digs (Julia Barnard 9, Nelson 6, Hanson 3, Rensvold 3, Black 3, Taylor-Jefferson 3, Simpson 2, Maley, Starr, Henriksen, Arianna Fisher, Lizzie Cunningham). (Th05Oct23) P18tae, P20se

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Polson def. Ronan 3-2

Lady Pirates (8-2,9-3) Maidens (5-6, 6-7)

Polson def. Ronan 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 22-25, 15-8

KILLS – P42 (Mckenna Hanson 12, Sam Rensvold 11, Hannah Simpson 8, Carli Maley 4, Nelson 4, Starr 3), R35 (Lauryn Buhr 7, Mckenna Corley 7, Maddy Illig 7, Sierra Blood 7), ACES – P19 (Avery Starr 7, Hanson 3, Rensvold 3, Sierra Perez 3, Simpson 2, Barnard), R7 (Zailee Hewankorn 2, Perez 2). ASSISTS – P37 (Starr 32, Barnard 2, Rensvold 2, Hanson), R35 (Seattle Adams 31). BLOCKS – P5 (Carli Maley 3bs, Rensvold 1bs, Starr 1bs), R12 (Buhr 3, Corley 3, Hewankorn 2½). DIGS – P60 (Julia Barnard 25, Hanson 13, Simpson 9, Rensvold 5, Maley 4, Starr 3, Nelson), R76 (Nevaeh Perez 20, Kailyn Marengo 16, Blood 10). (Tu10Oct23)

Kats claw way back, capsize Pirates

by John Heglie

At Columbia Falls, the visiting Lady Pirates and the host WildKats engaged in an intense opening set that extended into extras with the hosts emerging with an initial lead. But Polson would reel in the next two sets in convincing fashion to take a 2-1 advantage. Not wanting their own senior night to be blemished from pirating by visiting picaroons, the Kats maximized their moxie and clawed their way back to even the sets at two apiece with a fourth set triumph. They were able to harness that momentum by forging ahead in a fifth set finale to capture the match.

Despite the loss, the Lady Pirates outhit the Kats at the net  with Mckenna Hanson and Hannah Simpson combining for 29 kills. Polson also held an edge on defense as four players delved into the double digit domain for digs, led by Julia Barnard’s 23, followed by Avery Starr, Hanson and Sierra Perez with either a conventional dozen or baker’s variety.

 

Columbia Falls def. Polson 3-2

Lady Pirates (8-3, 9-4), WildKats (7-3, 7-5)

C-Falls def. Polson 27-25, 14-25, 12-25, 25-20, 15-11

KILLS – P53 (Mckenna Hanson 18, Hannah Simpson 11, Maley 7, Starr 7, Rensvold 6, Kellyn Nelson 4), CF38 (Maddie Moultray 13, Alton 7, Stutsman 7). ACES – P8 (Starr 5, Hanson 3), CF9 (Kierra Kemppainen 4). ASSISTS – P48 (Avery Starr 39, Hanson 4, Rensvold 2, Barnard 2, S.Perez), CF36 (Kierra Kemppainen 33, Moultray 3). BLOCKS – P7 (Carli Maley 5, Starr 2), CF6 (Moultray 3, Alton, Sadie Cheff, Eva Duval, Stutsman). DIGS – P75 (Julia Barnard 23, Starr 13, Hanson 13, Sierra Perez 12, Rensvold 8, Simpson 5, Nelson), CF68 (Emalee Alton 27, Demye Rensel 11, Kemppainen 11, Alton 10, Lucie Love 10, Moultray 8, Annika Reid 8). (Tu17Oct23) P26tae/CF17tae, P9se/CF12se

Volleyball Vals victimize Senior Night

by John Heglie

At Linderman Gym in Polson for Senior Night, the second installment of the Battle of the Bays on Flathead Lake between the visiting Valkyries of Bigfork and the host Lady Pirates would play out as an intense see-saw battle for the regular schedule finale of both squads with the added ambience of Senior Night for Lady Pirate seniors. 

The opening set featured 13 ties among teeter-totter lead changes up through 20-apiece before the visiting Vals were able to close out the first set to their advantage.

Avery Starr opened the second set with an ace. Then, after a Carli Maley dink, Starr rocked the service line for a couple more that led to an early 5-0 advantage. After the Vals picked up a unearned point, a trio of Lady Pirate spikes would precipitate a Bigfork timeout to splash cold water on the momentum. It worked. Despite trailing much of the set, at times by as much as seven, the Vals rallied to tie the match at 17-all. But Polson regrouped to slam the door on the set, exclamation points provided by a Kellyn Nelson spike followed by a Hannah Simpson service ace in a mirror reflection of how the set started.

Despite the third set tying five times in the early going, the Vals were able to nurse a small lead to take a 2-1 lead.

The host Lady Pirates would dominate the fourth set early on, precipitating a pair of Bigfork timeouts in an effort to regroup. Polson would square the sets at two apiece after the 25-11 showing, aided by a set of Samantha Rensvold kills down the stretch. Evened up at two sets apiece would force a fifth set finale to determine the outcome of the match.

Though Polson and Bigfork would tie thrice in the early going, the Valkyries would forge ahead, precipitating a Polson timeout to recalibrate trailing 11-5. After a Mckenna Hanson spike, Bigfork would reel off the remaining four points to take the match and sully senior celebrations.

At the net, Mckenna Hanson and Hannah Simpson collaborated on two dozen spikes. Avery Starr rocked the service line in conjunction with Hanson for a half dozen service aces. Starr added another quartet of blocks, while Julia Barnard was a defensive diggin dynamo with 33 digs.

The collective contingent of seasoned seniors that included Barnard, Hanson, Carli Maley, Simpson and Starr combined for 39 kills, seven of the eight service aces, two thirds of the nine blocks and 69 of the defensive digs.

 

Senior Night

Bigfork def. Polson 3-2

Lady Pirates (8-4, 9-5), Valkyries (7-5, 8-6)

Bigfork def. Polson  25-21, 20-25, 25-22, 11-25, 15-6

KILLS – B42 (Ava Davey 14, Sophia Ledingham 11), P55 (Mckenna Hanson 13, Hannah Simpson 11, Sam Rensvold 10, Carli Maley 8, Starr 7, Nelson 6). ACES – B7 (Gracie Saari 2, Piper Lee 2, Cassy Schlicht 2), P8 (Starr 4, Hanson 2, Rensvold, Simpson). SET ASSISTS – B42 (Taylor Howlett 37), P53 (Starr 44, Hanson 4, Simpson, Barnard , Maley, Rensvold, Sierra Perez). BLOCKS – B4 (Ledingham 3ba, Howlett 3ba, Piper Lee 1bs), P9 (Starr 4, Kellyn Nelson 2, Hanson, Maley, Rensvold). DIGS – B96 (Tessa Troyer 25, Davey 24, Saari 16, Lee 10), P93 (Julia Barnard 33, Hanson 16, Rensvold 14, Starr 13,  Sierra Perez 8, Maley 4, Simpson 3, Nelson, Aleysia Black). (Tu24Oct23) B25tae/P24tae, B5se/P12se

Lady Pirates battle back for berth despite Bronc bookend bouncing

by John Heglie

At the Western A Divisional held at Linderman Gym in Polson, the host Lady Pirate volleyballers succeeded in extending their season when they punched their ticket to the State A stage in Bozeman despite a couple of rough rides inflicted upon them by the hooves of a tandem of Broncs that bucked them from the saddle of their preferred trajectory.

Though their first round matchup would pit them against a third-seed, the Lady Broncs who corral west of Missoula at Frenchtown played more like top-tier thoroughbreds the entire tournament that would eventually lead to their crowning as champions. After dropping the first set, the Lady Pirates countered by securing the second set to knot things at one-apiece. But despite Polson rallies that featured multiple ties through midset and back-to-back spikes by Mckenna Hanson that closed the gap to within one in the later going, the hinge of the third set would swing in favor of Frenchtown, who would thereafter close out the match to bump the Lady Pirates into consolation rounds. Hannah Simpson and Hanson would combine for 20 spikes, while Julia Barnard, Avery Starr and Sam Rensvold dished up multiple service aces. Barnard led the defensive effort with two dozen digs, while Starr and Rensvold collaborated on another twenty.

In their second match on Friday morning, the Lady Pirates would avenge a late season five set loss to Columbia Falls with a sweep of the WildKats. Julia Barnard was a defensive diggin dynamo with 28 digs, while Barnard, Hanson, Sam Rensvold and Avery Starr rocked the service line with multiple aces each. The attack at the net was balanced with Hanson, Rensvold and Carli Maley collaborating on 20 spikes.

The morning conquest over the Kats would set up an afternoon clash with southwest second-seed Lady Beavers of Dillon. At stake would be the season finale for the loser, while the winner would secure a guaranteed berth to state.  Though the Lady Pirates would drop a closely contested  first set that extended into extras, they would sweep the following sets to capture the match over the early season Tip-Off champions. Hanson and Starr would combine for 21 kills, while Simpson, Barnard and Hanson collaborated on eight service aces. On defense, the Lady Pirates stiffled the Dillon attack with a half dozen snuff blocks, while Hanson, Rensvold, Barnard and Starr each delved into the domain of double digits for defensive digs with each notching better than a dozen apiece.

In the evening fourth place match, Polson would take the court against the other team of Broncs at the tournament, southwest top-seed Hamilton of the Bitterroot Valley. Hamilton took firm control of the first set handily in large measure due to the height advantages of a roster that feature a quartet of six-footers along with a pair of 5-10 talls or better. The Lady Pirates would recalibrate, extending the subsequent sets into extras, both contested with multiple ties and lead changes. Polson held serve with a one point edge in both subsequent sets, but Hamilton tied, then reeled off the next pair of points for the match. Mckenna Hanson delved into the double digit domain for both kills as well as digs, while Barnard, Rensvold and Starr collaborated on 50 digs.

Despite being bested in battles against bunches of Broncs, the Lady Pirates will take the fourth-seed out of the West to the State A tournament, where they will face Eastern top-seed Hardin in the first round.

 

 

2023Div LPtrny specs 4gms/14sets (133K,35A,122S,12B,272D) – Mckenna Hanson (43K,7A,3S,57D), Sam Rensvold (26K,6A,6S,1B,45D), Hannah Simpson (24K,6A,1B,12D), Avery Starr (17K,5A,97S,3B,41D), Carli Maley (17D,1A,2S,2B,3D), Kellyn Nelson (6K,5B,7D), Julia Barnard (7A,12S,90D), Aleysia Black (3A,3D), Sierra Perez (2S,13D).

2023Div@Polson – 133KILLS (Mckenna 43, Sam 26, Hannah 24, Carli 17, Avery 17, Kellyn 6). 35ACES (Mckenna 7, Jules 7, Sam 6, Hannah 6, Avery 5, Aleysia 3, Carli). 122SETS (Avery 97, Jules 12, Sam 6, Mckenna 3, Carli 2, Sierra 2); 12BLOCKS (Kellyn 5, Avery 3, Carli 2, Sam, Hannah); 272DIGS (Jules 90, Mckenna 57, Sam 45, Avery 41, Sierra 13, Hannah 12, Kellyn 7, Carli 3, Aleysia 3, rogue 1). P81tae, P29se

 

Championship

Frenchtown def. Hamilton 3-0

3SW Lady Broncs (15-3) 1SW Lady Broncs (17-3)

Frenchtown def. Hamilton 25-19, 25-15, 25-17

KILLS – H23 (Aurie Duncan 9, Ciara Hanley 5, Mya Winkler 5, Ellie Pearce 2, Beall, Jenna Ellis), F40 (Rachel Walls 12, Mason Quinn 10, Analiese Martin 8, Powell 6, Carah Evans 2, Romine, M.Kreis). ACES – H6 (Cierra Cole 2, Layna Price 2, Ekin 2), F12 (Ryan Lucier 5, Walls 3, M.Kreis 2, Iris Arlint, Addi Romine). SETS/ASSISTS – H20 (Dawsyn Ekin 12, Duncan 8), F37 (Addi Romine 36, M.Kreis). BLOCKS – H6 (Mya Winkler 2bs1ba, Haylee Beall 2bs, Duncan 1bs, Pearce 1ba), F8 (Martin 3bs, Powell 2bs, Quinn 1bs2ba, Walls 2ba). DIGS – H25 (Cole 9, Hanley 7, Ekin 3, Duncan 2, Price 2, Beall, Winkler), F54 (Walls 14, Iris Arlint 13,  Mckenna Kreis 11, Romine 5, Bella Powell 4, Lucier 4, Khloe Rausch 2, Martin). (Sa04Nov23gm14div) F7tae, F6se

 

Third place

Hamilton def. Whitefish 3-2

1SW Lady Broncs (16-3), 1NW Lady Bulldogs (13-5)

Hamilton def. Whitefish 23-25, 25-19, 25-17, 23-25, 15-11

KILLS – H51 (Mya Winkler 17, Aurie Duncan 13, Ciara Hanley 9), W36 (Brooke Zetooney 11, Hailey Ells 11, Bailey Smith 6). ACES – H7 (Duncan 2, Ekin 2, Layna Price 2, Hanley), W6 (Myli Ridgeway 3, Smith, Scott, Blackwell). SETS/ASSISTS – H47 (Dawsyn Ekin 31, Duncan 15), W31 (Ainsley Scott 20, Kaydence Blackwell 10). BLOCKS – H12 (Winkler 4bs2ba, Jenna Ellis 2bs, Ashlynn McKern 2bs, Duncan 1bs2ba, Pearce 1bs), W13 (Zetooney 3, Ridgeway 3, Nayvee Miller 3). DIGS – H50 (Duncan 13, Ekin 8, Hanley 7, Winkler 7, Cole 6, Price 4, Pearce 3, VanSickle, McKern), W115 (Scott 20, Ridgeway 17, Maggie Mercer 15). (Sa04Nov23gm13div)

 

Fourth place

Hamilton def. Polson 3-0

2NW Lady Pirates (11-7), 2SW Lady Broncs (14-2)

Hamilton def. Polson 25-15, 28-26, 26-24

KILLS – P27 (Mckenna Hanson 11, Sam Rensvold 6, Hannah Simpson 4, Carli Maley 4, Kellyn Nelson 2), H34 (Aurie Duncan 16, Mya Winkler 6). ACES – P5 (Barnard, Hanson, Rensvold, Simpson, Aleysia Black), H5 (Layna Price 2). SETS/ASSISTS – P24 (Avery Starr 20, Barnard 3, Maley), H32 (Dawsyn Ekin 22). BLOCKS – P0 (na), H7 (Winkler 2bs2ba, Crystal VanSickle 2bs1ba). DIGS – P76 (Julia Barnard 24, Hanson 15, Rensvold 14, Starr 12, Sierra Perez 5, Nelson 4, Simpson 2), H34 (Winkler 9, Price 7). (Fr03Nov23gm12div) P21tae/H11tae, P9se/H7se

 

undefeated semifinal

Frenchtown def. Whitefish 25-22, 25-20, 22-25, 25-15

KILLS – W34 (Brooke Zetooney 11, Bailey Smith 7), F42 (Rachel Walls 17, Mason Quinn 12). ACES – W5 (Blackwell, Ells, Scott, Smith, Zetooney), F9 (Walls 3, Khloe Rausch 2, Ryan Lucier 2). SETS/ASSISTS – W29 (Kaydence Blackwell 15, Ainsley Scott 14), F40 (Addi Romine 40). BLOCKS – W6 (Hailey Ells 2, B.Smith 2), F16 (Quinn 7bs1ba, Annaliese Martin 5bs1ba). DIGS – W55 (Maggie Mercer 15, Myli Ridgeway 15), F64 (Walls 18, Iris Arlint 17).

 

Polson def. Dillon 3-1 (lo)

2NW Lady Pirates (11-6), 2SW Lady Beavers (11-4)

Polson def. Dillon 26-28, 25-20, 25-16, 25-18

KILLS – D33 (Ariel Thomas 11, Sydney Petersen 7), P40 (Mckenna Hanson 12, Starr 9, Sam Rensvold 7, Simpson 6, Carli Maley 5, Nelson).  ACES – D8 (Stennerson 2, Petersen 2), P11 (Hannah Simpson 4, Barnard 2, Hanson 2, Aleysia Black, Rensvold, Starr).

SETS/ASSISTS – D27 (Leila Stennerson 15, Kinzy Creighton 8), P37 (Avery Starr 27, Barnard 4, Hanson 3, Rensvold 2, S.Perez). BLOCKS – D6 (Kylie Konen 1bs2ba, Sage Tash 1bs1ba), P6 (Kellyn Nelson 2, Starr 2, Maley, Simpson). DIGS – D71 (Stennerson 17, Thomas 13, Tyler Gibson 13), P80 (Hanson 24, Rensvold 17, Julia Barnard 14, Starr 13, Sierra Perez 5, Maley 3, Simpson 3, Black). (Fr03Nov23gm9div) P26tae, P5se

 

Polson def. Columbia Falls 3-0

2NW Lady Pirates (10-6), 4NW WildKats (9-9)

Polson def. C-Falls 25-11, 25-21, 25-18

KILLS – P30 (Mckenna Hanson 10, Carli Maley 5, Sam Rensvold 5, Hannah Simpson 4, Starr 3, Nelson 3), CF22 (Maddie Moutray 8, Emalee Alton 8). ACES – P10 (Hanson 3, Barnard 2, Rensvold 2, Starr 2, Simpson), CF1 (Sadie Cheff). SETS/ASSISTS – P29 (Avery Starr 22, Barnard 4, Rensvold 2, Maley), CF21 (Kierra Kemppainen 20). BLOCKS – P3 (Kellyn Nelson 2, Rensvold), CF3 (Moultray, Rensel, Cheff). DIGS – P55 (Julia Barnard 28, Hanson 10, Rensvold 5, Starr 5, Simpson 2, Aleysia Black 2, Sierra Perez 2, Nelson), CF43 (Demye Rensel 13, Moultray 9). (Fr03Nov23gm7div) P11tae, P8se

 

Frenchtown def. Polson 3-1

2NW Lady Pirates (9-6), 3SW Lady Broncs (12-3)

Frenchtown def. Polson 25-17, 19-25, 25-23, 25-14

KILLS – F33 (Rachel Walls 12, Analeise Martin 11), P36 (Mckenna Hanson 10, Hannah Simpson 10, Sam Rensvold 8, Carli Maley 3, Kellyn Nelson 3, Starr 2). ACES – F8 (Iris Arlint 2, Khloe Rausch 2, Walls 2), P9 (Julia Barnard 2, Rensvold 2, Starr 2, Aleysia Black, Hanson, Maley). SETS/ASSISTS – F32 (Addi Romine 31), P32 (Avery Starr 28, Rensvold 2, Barnard, Sierra Perez). BLOCKS – F18 (Mason Quinn 4), P3 (Maley, Nelson, Starr). DIGS – F65 (Walls 18, Mckenna Kreis 15), P61 (Julia Barnard 24, Starr 11, Rensvold 9, Hanson 8, Simpson 5, Nelson 2, S.Perez). (Th02Nov23gm1div) F16tae/ P23tae, F7se/P7se

 

(gm14) Frenchtown def. Hamilton 3-0 (1st/2nd place)

(gm13) Hamilton def. Whitefish 3-2 (3rd place)

(gm12) Hamilton def. Polson 3-0 (4th place)

(gm11) Frenchtown def. Whitefish 3-1 (undefeated semi)

 

(gm10)  Hamilton def. Bigfork 16-25, 25-13, 25-15, 25-21 (lo)

KILLS – B (Lee 9, Davey 9, Vick 7), H40 (Winkler 9, Duncan 8, Hanley 8). ACES – B (Davey 2, Lee 2), H6 (Ekin 3). SETS/ASSISTS – B (Howlett 24), H36 (Ekin 19, Duncan 15). BLOCKS – B (Ledingham 3), H17 (Winkler 4bs4ba, Duncan 4bs3ba, VanSickle 3bs, Hanley 2bs1ba) DIGS – B (Davey 28, Troyer 18, Howlett 14, Saari 14), H59 (Winkler 13, Ekin 12).

Bigfork (16-13)

 

(gm9) Polson def. Dillon 3-1 (lo)

 

(gm8) Bigfork def. Corvallis 21-25, 25-10, 25021, 25-20 (lo)

KILLS – C32 (O.Lewis 9, Britta Iman 9), B (Saari 9, Natalie Vick 8, Ledingham 8). ACES – C5 (L.Smart 3), B (Tessa Troyer 6). SETS/ASSISTS – C26 (V.Potter 26), B (Howlett 31). BLOCKS – C7 (M.Buhler 4), B (Sophia Ledingham 4). DIGS – C74 (O.Lewis 24), B (Davey 13).

 

(gm7) Polson def. C-Falls 3-0 (lo)

 

(gm6) Whitefish def. Dillon 25-14, 18-25,20-25, 25-18, 15-13 (qtr)

KILLS – W39 (Zetooney 11, Ridgeway 9, B.Smith 8), D47 (Ariel Thomas 15, Leila Stennerson 10). ACES – W4 (Blackwell, Ells, A.Scott, Zetooney), D10 (Stennerson 3, Thomas 3, S.Petersen 2). SETS – W34 (A.Scott 20, Blackwell 13), D45 (Stennerson 21, Kinzy Creighton 10, Fayth Larno 6). BLOCKS – W7 (Zetooney 3, B.Smith 2), D7 (Konen 2bs3ba, Sage Tash 1bs1ba). DIGS – W57 (Ridgeway 11, Mercern 9, B.Smith 8, A.Scott 8), D69 (Stennerson 18, Thomas 12, Petersen 12, Clarno 12).

 

(gm5) Frenchtown def. Hamilton 25-20, 25-21, 25-9 (qtr)

KILLS – F29 (Rachel Walls 15, Mason Quinn 5, Analiese Martin 5, Carah Evans 3, Powell), H26 (Winkler 10, Duncan 9). ACES – F6 (Addi Romine 3, Khloe Rausch, Ryan Lucier, Walls), H1 (Layna Price). SETS – F26 (Addi Romine 25, Arlint), H17 (Ekin 10, Duncan 7). BLOCKS – F (), H3 (Duncan, Hanley, VanSickle). DIGS – F69 (Mckenna Kreis 15, Iris Arlint 13, Walls 12, Rausch 11, Romine 9, Bella Powell 5, Quinn, Evans, Martin, Lucier), H19 (Ekin 4, Price 3, Ellis 3, Duncan 3).

 

(gm4) Dillon def. Bigfork 25-14, 15-19, 27-29, 25-19 (1st round)

KILLS – B (Ava Davey 10), D49 (S.Tash 11, K.Konen 10, A.Thomas 10). ACES – B (Gracie Saari 3, Piper Lee 3), D16 (Petersen 4, Thomas 4, Tash 3, K.Creighton 3). SETS/ASSISTS – B27 (Taylor Howlett), D42 (L.Stennerson 22, K.Creighton 15). BLOCKS – B (S.Ledingham 2, Saari 2), D8 (Konen 5ba, Tash 1bs2ba). DIGS – B (Davey 14, Saari 12, Howlett 12, Tessa Troyer 11, Cassy Schlicht 10), D68 (Fayth Clarno 22, Stennerson 13).

 

 

(gm3) Whitefish def. Corvallis 25-11, 28-26, 21-25, 25-23 (1st round)

KILLS – C37 (Olivia Lewis 12),W41 (Zetooney 18, B.Smith 8, H.Ells4). ACES – C5 (Vivian Potter 2), W9 (Zetooney 5, B.Smith 3, Ridgeway). SETS – C33 (Potter 32), W42 (A.Scott 22, Blackwell 19). BLOCKS – C6 (Meredith Buhler 4), W9 (Ells 7, Zetooney 2, Miller 2). DIGS – C93 (Dakota Powell 24, O.Lewish 18, Ellie Davis 18, Shaylee Wiedow 13), W80 (M.Mercer 21, Ridgeway 15, Zetooney 13).

 

(gm2) Hamilton def. Columbia Falls 25-23, 26-24, 25-14 (1st round)

KILLS – CF24 (Moultray 10), H33 (Duncan 11). ACES – CF3 (Sadie Cheff 2), H7 (Winkler 4). SETS – CF24 (Kemppainen 19), H29 (Ekin 17, Duncan 12). BLOCKS – CF2 (S.Cheff 2), H3 (Winkler 2bs). DIGS – CF49 (Demye Rensel 11), H37 (Ekin 11).

 

(gm1) Frenchtown def. Polson 3-1 (1st round)

 

sources: Frenchtown (end-of-match sheets), Hamilton (iStatVBall, MaxPreps), Whitefish (end-of-match sheets, 406mtsports/myteamscoops), Polson (iStatVBall), Dillon (end-of-match sheets, MaxPreps), C-Falls (MaxPreps), Corvallis (end-of-match sheets), Bigfork (BE article)

Nyet at the net: Lady Pirate V-ballers battle valiantly against State best

by John Heglie

At the all-classification State volleyball tournament in Bozeman, the fourth-seeded Lady Pirates of Polson put forward a valiant effort against some of the best State A competition.

Their first round opponent faced was top-seeded Hardin, who would ultimately proceed on to be crowned champions at the end of the tournament. The Lady Bulldogs succeeded in sweeping the Lady Pirates in straight sets, but not without encountering a share of difficulties inflicted by some pesky Pirates. Hannah Simpson and Sam Rensvold combined for a dozen spikes with Simpson also snuffing a pair of solo blocks at the net. The Hardin attack kept back row defenders busy as a quartet delved into the domain of double digits for digs with Avery Starr and Rensvold collaborating for just over two dozen, while Mckenna Hanson and Julia Barnard dug out ten each.

Routed into the consolation rounds, the Lady Pirates succeeded in caging the third-seeded Billings-based Lockwood Lady Lions in straight sets. Hanson and Simpson collaborated on 21 of the three dozen team spikes at the net, while Hanson, Simpson, Barnard and Starr rocked the service line with a combined nine aces. Barnard was the only player to reach double figures for digs with 14, but Hanson and Rensvold collaborated on another 13 digs on the defensive end.

Polson's third opponent at state would be Western top-seeded Frenchtown, who had prevailed over everybody at the Western A Divisional the week prior. Things looked bleak at the onset as the Lady Broncs vaulted out to a two set advantage. But the Lady Pirates shifted gears, harnassed a shift in momentum and knotted the contest at two apiece for force a fifth set finale. Unfortunately, the Lady Broncs succeeded in reigning in a shift in momentum of their own, taking the final set to win the match. Seasoned seniors Hanson and Simpson collaborated on 27 spikes to lead the attack at the net against the talented talls of their opponent. The Lady Pirates notched a dozen aces from the service line, led by Simpson with five, while Hanson and Rylee Taylor-Jefferson each turned in multiple aces that combined to match Simpson. Barnard led the defensive effort with a dozen and a half digs, while Sierra Perez dabbled into double digits with ten. Hanson and Rensvold split another 18 digs in a collaborative defensive effort. The loss culminated the volleyball season for the Lady Pirates who had made their third sequential trip to the State A stage, winning at least one game each trip while placing third in 2021 for a program best under coach Lizzy Cox.

The Lady Pirates bid farwell to a seasoned senior quintet of setter Avery Starr, outside hitters Mckenna Hanson along with Hannah Simpson, middle blocker Carli Maley and libero/defensive specialist Julia Barnard.

 

2023StateA LP 3gms/11sets (102K,23A,96S,10B,150D) – Hannah Simpson (32K,8A,4S,4B,5D), Mckenna Hanson (27K,3A,2S,27D), Avery Starr (14K,5A,75S,½B,26D), Carli Maley (12K,4½B), Samantha Rensvold (10K,1A,4S,25D),  Kellyn Nelson (5K,1B,1D), Julia Barnard (1K,4A,9S,42D), Rylee Taylor-Jefferson (2A,2D), Sierra Perez (2S,20D), Aleysia Black (2D).

2023StateA LP@Bozeman – 102KILLS (Hannah 32, Mckenna 27, Avery 14, Carli 12, Sam 10, Kellyn 5, Jules, rogue1). 23ACES (Hannah 8, Avery 5, Jules 4, Mckenna 3, Rylee 2, Sam). 96SETS (Avery 75, Jules 9, Hannah 4, Sam 4, Mckenna 2, Sierra 2); 10BLOCKS (Carli 4bs1ba, Hannah 4bs, Kellyn 1bs, Avery 1ba); 150DIGS (Jules 42, Mckenna 27, Avery 26, Sam 25, Sierra 20, Hannah 5, Aleysia 2, Rylee 2, Kellyn). P53tae, P30se

Acronym key: K(kill), A(ace), S(set assist), B(block), bs(solo block), ba(block assist), D(dig).

 

Frenchtown def. Polson 3-2

4W Lady Pirates (12-9), 1W Lady Broncs (17-4)

Frenchtown def. Polson 25-18, 25-22, 13-25, 23-25, 15-6

KILLS – F40 (Mason Quinn 10, Rachel Walls 10, Annaliese Martin 8), P43 (Hannah Simpson 14, Mckenna Hanson 13, Starr 6, Maley 4, Kellyn Nelson 3, Rensvold 3). ACES – F9 (Iris Arlint 4), P12 (Simpson 5, Starr 3, Rylee Taylor-Jefferson 2, Barnard, Rensvold). SETS/ASSISTS – F31 (Addi Romine 31), P38 (Avery Starr 29, Barnard 4, Simpson 2, Hanson 2, S.Perez). BLOCKS – F10 (Quinn 4, Martin 4), P5 (Carli Maley 2bs1ba, Simpson 2bs, Starr 1ba). DIGS – F95 (Walls 24, Arlint 19, Mckenna Kreis 19), P57 (Julia Barnard 18, Sierra Perez 10, Sam Rensvold 9, Hanson 9, Starr 7, Taylor-Jefferson 2, Simpson, Aleysia Black). (Fr10Nov23gm9st) P21tae, P13se

variants – tmB(end-of-match sheet:P4b, PiStatVball:P5b)

 

Polson def. Lockwood 3-0

4W Lady Pirates (12-8), 3E Lady Lions (12-8)

Polson def. Lockwood 25-15, 25-22, 25-19

KILLS – L23 (Dani Jordan 5, Abbe Case 4, Riley Shreve 4), P36 (Mckenna Hanson 11, Hannah Simpson 10, Starr 5, Maley 5, Rensvold 3, Barnard, rogue 1). ACES – L3 (Gracee Hunt, Shreeve, Jordan), P9 (Hanson 3, Simpson 3, Barnard 2, Starr). SETS/ASSISTS – L23 (Isabelle Everson 8, Hunt 6), P36 (Avery Starr 27, Barnard 4, Rensvold 3, Simpson 2). BLOCKS – L4 (), P3 (Carli Maley 2, Kellyn Nelson). DIGS – L52 (Gracie Kuntz 10, Jordan 10, Shreeve 10), P37 (Julia Barnard 14, Mckenna Hanson 8, Rensvold 5, Starr 4, Sierra Perez 4, Simpson, Aleysia Black). (Fr10Nov23gm7st) P13tae, P12se

SEA (6-4), nonconf (2-0: MC, Sid),  WYtrny (2-2: Cody, Lovell, Riverside, Powell loss)

 

Hardin def. Polson 3-0

4W Lady Pirates (11-8), 1E Lady Bulldogs (16-1)

Hardin def. Polson 25-15, 25-15, 25-16

KILLS – P23 (Hannah Simpson 8, Sam Rensvold 4, Mckenna Hanson 3, Carli Maley 3, Starr 3, Kellyn Nelson 2), H37 (Makenna Torske 12, Macy Uffelman 8, Aubrey Nedens 7). ACES – P2 (Barnard, Starr), H7 (Carmen Pallone 4). SETS/ASSISTS – P22 (Avery Starr 19, Barnard, Rensvold, S.Perez), H37 (Taiya Guptill 31). BLOCKS – P2 (Simpson 2), H6 (Johanna Limberhand 2, Pallone 2). DIGS – P56 (Starr 15, Sam Rensvold 11, Hanson 10, Barnard 10, S.Perez 6, Simpson 3, Nelson), H78 (Pallone 19, Uffelman 14, Guptill 13). (Th09Nov23gm2st) P19tae, P5se

SEA (9-1), nonconf (2-0: Havr, MC), "BorderWars" WYtrny (2-1: Powell, Cody,Worland), Ediv (4-0), StA(4-0)

 

2023 State A VB Tournament

Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, MSU, Bozeman

Thursday-Saturday, November 9-11

 

Saturday

(gm14) Hardin def. Billings Central 25-14, 25-20, 28-26 (1st/2nd)

(gm13) Billings Central def. Hamilton 25-10, 25-11, 23-25, 25-9 (3rd)

 

Friday

(gm12) Hamilton def. Frenchtown 25-15, 25-20, 25-11 (4th)

(gm11) Hardin def. BlgsC 25-22, 25-19, 25-16 (undefeated semi)

(gm10) Hamilton def. Glendive 25-22, 25-17, 25-17 (lo)

(gm9) Frenchtown def. Polson 25-18, 25-22, 13-25, 23-25, 15-6 (lo)

(gm8) Glendive def. Whitefish 25-23, 21-25, 25-17, 26-24 (lo)

(gm7) Polson def. Lockwood 25-15, 25-22, 25-19 (lo)

 

Thursday

(gm6) BlgsC def. Frenchtown 25-16, 25-19, 25-16 (qtr)

(gm5) Hardin def. Hamilton 25-18, 25-13, 25-18 (qtr)

(gm4) 2E BlgsC def. 3W Whitefish 25-13, 25-11, 23-25, 23-25, 15-11

(gm3) 1W Frenchtown def. 4E Glendive 25-14, 25-19, 24-26, 25-21

(gm2) 1E Hardin def. 4W Polson 25-15, 25-15, 25-16

(gm1) 2W Hamilton def. 3E Lockwood 14-25, 28-26, 25-20, 22-25, 15-13