Trotters complete play at Western C

The Plains Trotters completed season play at the Western C divisional volleyball tournament in Churchill last week, winning one of three matches before bowing out.

Manhattan Christian won the Western C title and the Eagles and the second place Ennis Mustangs, who defeated Plains in a loser-out match Friday afternoon, now advance on to the Class C portion of the Montana All-Class tournament in Bozeman this Thursday through Saturday.

Ennis defeated Gardiner in the loser-third match Saturday in Churchill.

Coach Jessica Butcher's Trotters lost to Twin Bridges 25-18, 25-16, 25-15 Thursday, came back to defeat Clark Fork 25-22, 25-19, 15-25, 18-25, 15-10 Friday, and finally fell 25-19, 25-15, 25-18 to Ennis later Friday.

Runners-up to Plains in the District 14C tournament two weeks ago, Charlo finished fourth in the Western C, losing to Ennis Thursday and rebounding with wins over Seeley-Swan and Twin Bridges Friday before falling to Ennis in the loser-fourth match Friday evening.

In retrospect, the Trotters' season highlight came in the 14C tourney, where they defeated Charlo – which had not lost to a 14C foe all season – twice on the way to the conference championship.

Junior Kylee Altmiller led the Trotters to the win over Clark Fork, the co-operative between Alberton and Superior, with nine kills, six service aces and three blocks, Haley Josephson put up 11 assists and eight digs, and Rachel Huenink also had three blocks.

Against Ennis, Huenink floored seven kills and blocked two shots, Audrey Brown hit seven digs, Dakota Butcher eight assists and Altmiller three service aces.

Jourdain Klein hit 18 kills and blocked eight shots for Ennis and Whitney McKitrick hit 18 assists and five aces.