Late rally lifts Granite past Drummond in five set match
DRUMMOND – With the backs against the wall and trailing 2-0, the Lady Prospectors dug deep and reeled off wins in the final three games to beat host Drummond 23-25, 27-29, 25-21, 25-22, 15-10.
The victory avenges a five-set loss to the Lady Trojans in Philipsburg Sept. 1.
“This is huge,” said a reserved GHS Head Coach Jennifer Graham after the match. “Anytime the girls put forth the effort and play scrappy … and the win is the icing on the cake. We’ve been talking all year about leaving nothing on the court and this week is a great precursor for the district tournament.”
When asked about the turnaround in play and the comeback win, Graham was reflective of the team's effort.
"It’s just a confidence thing. Its just perseverance and grit. It’s one of things we’ve been working on all year. With all this Corona stuff you have to persevere.”
The Lady Trojans started strong in front of their home crowd, taking the first set before having to rally and outlast visiting Granite in an extended second set. But as the third set opened Drummond seemed to get out of sync and allowed scoring opportunities to go unrequited. The trend allowed the Lady Prospectors to catch their breath and start putting together runs that would lead to the win.
“Granite is always a tough opponent and fun to play,” said DHS Head Coach Brooks Phillips after the match. “I wish we would have served and moved our feet better. (But) on to the next game. The girls are amazing. We talk about what needs to be fixed (and) they keep their heads up and they don't look back.”
Granite’s Reece Pitcher led all hitters in the game with nine kills with Lucia Lee adding a game high nine blocks. Asha Comings led the Lady Prospectors in digs with seven and aces with three. Setter Rachel Ward added 17 assists.
Holly Hauptman led Drummond with eight kills, four blocks and three aces, with Sydney Phillips and Hannah Bradshaw right behind her with seven kills each. Jesse Struna led in digs with 14 and assists with 22, while Gracie Weaver chipped in three aces as well.
Neither team has a chance to breathe as the season winds down. Granite hosts Seeley Swan Wednesday night and travels to Victor Thursday. Their game with Lincoln in Philipsburg has been cancelled. Drummond will host Darby Thursday before heading to Victor Friday night.
Graham confirmed that the postseason district tournament had been changed to a single elimination bracket, with each game played at the site of the higher seeded team. That bracket will be released this weekend.
Seeley Swan def. Granite 25-23, 25-23, 25-20.
In its second match in 24 hours, the Granite volleyball team played three sets that were decided by five points or less. The loss leaves the Lady Prospectors with one final match Thursday in Victor before the district tournament begins next week.
“It's the girls playing confidently and loose,” said Graham. “shaking mistakes off and improving themselves and their teammates.”
Pitcher and teammate Amelia Hill led in kills with five each, while Pitcher tossed in a trio of blocks. Comings added four more aces, Ward 12 assists and Summer Phillips was tops with six digs.
