Lady Bulldogs End Fantastic Season
Author: Kelly Morris
Lady Bulldogs End Fantastic Season With 3rd Place Finish At State
The BHS volleyball team finished their season this last weekend, competing in the Montana All-Class State Tournament in Bozeman. Leading up to the State Tournament the Bulldogs compiled a 22-1 overall record, finishing undefeated in District 5B and taking 1st Place at the District tournament.
At the Southern B Divisional tournament, they then ran into issues with injuries. After defeating Forsyth in the opening round, the Ladies then played defending State champs Huntley Project in the second round, losing a close match 3-2. Already assured of a berth at the State Tournament, Coach Megan Bleile rested starters Trinity Wilson and Cassidy Flynn due to injuries in their match against the Colstrip Fillies, starting two very promising Freshmen in their place. The Bulldogs lost to the Fillies 3-1 finishing in 4th Place, but still qualifying for State. Coach Bleile stated, "We could have played Trinity and Cassidy, but our goal was to make it to state, and we had already accomplished that."
Coming in as a 4-seed at the State Tournament isn't for the faint of heart. But then, everyone knew that the Bulldogs weren't your normal 4-seed! After a week of rest and healing, the Bulldogs had all of their starters ready for action. In their first match, the Lady Bulldogs took on the 1-seed out of the West Division, the Thompson Falls Blue Hawks. Our girls made quick work of the Blue Hawks, winning in straight sets 3-0.
This set up a rematch with Huntley Project later that evening. The Lady Bulldogs played very well, splitting the first two sets, but then lost a heartbreaker in the third set by 2-points. The Red Devils would go on to win the match 3-1.
On day 2 of the State tournament our Lady Bulldogs played what, I believe, was their best volleyball of the season. First, they took on a tough Choteau Bulldogs squad, and though every set was hard-fought, our Ladies won in straight sets, 3-0. This would set up a rematch with the Colstrip Fillies later in the evening. This match looked nothing like the match with the Fillies the week before! The Lady Bulldogs were playing very well in all facets of the game. They won this one easily in straight sets. Making it to Saturday of the State Tournament assures a team that they will place in the top three!
On Saturday the Bulldogs took on the Shephard Fillies in a semi-final match that would determine who went on to play in the championship match against Huntley Project, who had gone undefeated through the tournament. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, they had one of those matches where nothing you do seems to work, and everything the other team does, does. Not to take anything away from the Fillies, who played outstanding volleyball, especially on defense! The Bulldogs would lose this match 3-0. In fact, the Fillies went on to beat Huntley Project in their first match, forcing a second, but would lose that last match to Huntley Project, who repeat as State Champions.
I had a chance to talk to Trinity Wilson about their season. Trinity said "This season was a success, no matter what! We came into the season with high expectations of each other and the team. We battled through some issues. Some players were playing new positions, and we learned to trust each other".
Asked about the tournaments, Bleile said "Our seniors have done a great job of leadership all season, and it showed at Tournament time. The District tournament went as expected, but at Divisionals we experienced some injuries, so didn't finish where we would have liked. But we made it to State. At the State tournament, I was so impressed with our play! On day 2 of the tournament, we played the best volleyball we have played all year! I was especially proud of Cassidy Flynn. She's had a knee injury for a while now, but she hung in there and played her heart out!" Bleile said that she was "very proud" of their season.
And what a season! The Lady Bulldogs finished the regular season undefeated at 14-0, and finished with an overall record of 22-4. Senior standout Trinity Wilson broke 4 school records, Kills in a single match (29), Kills in a single season (549), Kills in a career (1291) and Blocks in a career (382). Senior Alleigh Burdick shattered the school record for Digs in a career with 2,275!
A number of Lady Bulldogs have received even more recognition. Outside Hitter Trinity Wilson, Defensive Specialist Alleigh Burdick and Setter Emily Bird were all selected for both 1st Team All-Conference AND All-State. Defensive Specialist Luci Horne and Outside Hitter Cassidy Flynn received 2nd Team All-Conference honors. Congratulations Ladies! And congratulations to all of our Lady Bulldogs and their coaches!
From Eliza McLaughlin, Staff Reporter
Senior Trinity Wilson finished 12th in the state among all classes for kills with 249 throughout the season and fourth in class B. Wilson also was number one in Class B and fourth in the state for blocks with 68.
Junior Emily Bird ended the season with 548 assists, earning her third in Class B and seventh in the state.
Senior Alleigh Burdick finished 10th in Class B and 16th in the state for digs with 307 throughout the season.
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PhotoCredit: Kelly Morris
