Granite, Drummond fall into district consolation bracket
Story updated as scores are made available
MANHATTAN – Granite rallied together and played as one to earn a straight set win over Drummond in the semifinals of the 12C Consolation Bracket Thursday in Manhattan. The Lady Prospectors won 25-18, 25-18, 25-20 and puts them into a rematch with Twin Bridges in the Consolation final. The winner of that match will go on to play Ennis for the championship.
If Granite loses they would not be able to challenge for second place as they have already faced Twin Bridges previously in the tournament.
With the loss Drummond finishes their season in fourth place.
“I am proud of the girls for never giving up,” Said Lady Trojan Head Coach Shona Bradshaw.
Granite Head Coach Jennifer Graham has been trying to get her players on the same page all season and felt like that was happening against Drummond.
“I can't be prouder of my girls,” Graham said after the match. “They played with heart and spirit and resiliency. They came together and stayed alive.
“I can't say it was one girl who did outstanding because it wasn't, it was the granite lady prospectors as a solid unit.”
The Lady Prospectors had a different girls lead in each of the five statistical categories, led by Amelia Hill with nine kills. Sierra Metesh led in digs with 14, Emma Grange in assists with 18, Reece Pitcher had three blocks and Asha Comings served up five aces.
Sydney Phillips led Drummond in its final game of the season, scoring four kills, three blocks five digs and five aces. Donna Seekell closed out her career with a solid tournament, collecting four kills and a pair of blocks in her final outing. Senior Sara Kielley and junior Rylee Hilmo each had four assists.
Ennis defeats Drummond, 3-0
The Lady Trojans fought hard but could not overcome the No. 1-ranked Ennis Mustangs in their second-round match falling 25-17, 25-13, 25-9. The loss put Drummond into a game against Harrison-Willow Creek in the consolation bracket of the three-day event.
The Lady Trojans managed just 13 total kills, with Sydney Phillips, Hannah Bradshaw and Donna Seekell collecting three apiece. Sara Kielley had nine assists and four different players – Kielley, Phillips, Bradshaw and Hailey Swarengen – each had one service ace.
Twin Bridges defeats Granite, 3-0
The Lady Prospectors were close in each of the three games, but just couldn’t climb over the hump to gain a victory against the No. 2-ranked Falcons. The game scores were 25-23, 25-20, 25-16.
Amelia Hill led the locals with seven kills and three blocks, aided by 13 assists from Emma Grange. Sierra Metesh had 11 digs and Audrey Radtke chipped in two service aces.
The loss put Granite into a consolation bracket game against Sheridan Thursday afternoon.
Drummond defeats Harrison-Willow Creek, 3-0
The Lady Trojans ushered the Wildcats of Harrison-Willow Creek from the tourney with a straight set win, 25-11, 25-17, 25-18.
“It’s been a long day,” said Drummond Head Coach Shona Bradshaw, “but we are playing well and excited for the game tonight.”
Seekell and Phillips led the attack at the net with seven kills each, followed closely by Swarengen and Bradshaw with five apiece. Kielley had eight assists, but Rylee Hilmo and Deanna Parke were close behind with six and seven, respectively. Hilmo also chipped in three aces while Phillips had the lone block.
Granite defeats Sheridan, 3-1
The Lady Prospectors needed a fourth game dispatch the Panthers and advance to the consolation semifinals. Granite beat Sheridan 25-12, 27-29, 25-11, 25-18. The victory puts the Lady Prospectors into a game at 6:30 against county rival Drummond.
Hill continued to lead the locals in kills with 13, also tying Reece Pitcher in blocks with two each. Grange dished 26 assists while Haddie Tallon had 10 digs and nine service aces.
