Senior Amanda Cline gives the ball a push over the net.
Senior Seanna Demontiney slams the ball over at Divisionals.
Senior Lainey Gregory, sets the ball up during Divisional play against Power.
The Big Sandy Lady Pioneers would not make the same splash at the divisional tournament in Cascade that they did at districts in Chinook.
The magic that carried them to the second level of the postseason ran out Thursday as the Pioneer volleyball squad lost its two matches at divisionals to Power and all-too-familiar 6C East foe North Star.
Power advanced past Big Sandy 25-22, 25-26, 22-25, 25-13.
Senior Seanna Demontiney led the Pioneers with seven kills and junior Alicia Bjornestad added eight assists. Senior Amanda Cline had a team-high 36 digs and two service aces. Senior Stacey Allderdice had two of the team's three blocks.
The loss moved Big Sandy into the consolation bracket and a win-or-go-home contest with a familiar and frustrating rival. The North Star Lady Knights had foiled the Lady Pioneers at every turn this season, in match play and tournament tests alike. Alas, their final meeting of the season turned out as the earlier matchups did. North Star defeated Big Sandy 25-22, 25-13, 25-20.
"We definitely played them a lot this season," said first-year Pioneers coach Brittany McKenney. "But it was good to be challenged."
Bjornestad had a team-high four kills in the finale and senior Lainey Gregory led with seven assists. Cline had 18 digs and with Demontiney, each a pair of aces. Allderdice again had two of the team's trio of blocks at the net.
"We definitely wanted to make it further in the tournament. However, I'm still happy to have made it there," McKenney said, as it had been one of the team's main goals as the season began. "The girls played hard and left everything out on the floor. You can't ask for much more than that. I am extremely proud of what they accomplished this season.
"I know the seniors were so excited to go out with a bang. This also fueled the fire for our underclassmen. They got a taste of what it feels like to win and I think they are finally believing in what they can do."
McKenney said she plans to return next season and to try to build a club program to boost Big Sandy girls' volleyball acumen in the off-season. Due to MHSA rules, McKenney would have to coach the younger players but she said she is hoping to recruit some volunteer coaches to work with the high schoolers.
