Area teams open volleyball season with Tip Off Tournament

DRUMMOND – Drummond and Granite opened the 2021 Volleyball season Saturday playing in the Tip Off Tournament at Drummond High School.

The Lady Prospectors finished their pool play before heading into the bracket where they won the opener over Hot Springs (11-15, 15-12, 15-9) before falling to Seeley in a close match (21-19, 12-15, 13-15).

On the day Asha Comings led Granite with 13 kills and added 10 service aces. Reece Pitcher led in blocks with 11.5 and Annabelle Locke had a team best 74 digs. Ella Tallon tied Comings for the team lead in aces with 10 and had all 24 assists. “I think that today was a very successful day,” said Comings after the event. “It was an exciting look into our season!”

Drummond went 1-2 in pool play before playing eventual tourney champ Charlo in the first round, losing in two straight.

Returning starters Jesse Struna and Holly Hauptman led the Lady Trojans statistically. Struna had nine assists and 11 service aces on the day, while Hauptman led in Kills (9) and blocks (1).

The two squads will renew their county rivalry Tuesday night when they meet for the first time this year, playing a match at Granite High School in Philipsburg. Junior Varsity matches start at 5:30 p.m. followed by the varsity at 7.

The game will be broadcast on the NFHS Network.