Granite Invitational gives local teams early season experience

PHILIPSBURG – The Drummond and Granite volleyball teams were able to get oin some much-needed games Saturday at the Granite Invitational Tournament.

Granite managed a 2-1 finish after pool play, earning them a spot in the bracketed playoffs. The claimed a first-round win over St. Regis before falling to the Blackhawks of Seeley Swan in the semifinals. Seeley went on to claim the tournament crown over Arlee.

“There were a lot of ups and downs today,” remarked GHS Head Coach Kaley Hansen. “We started pretty slow but finally got our footing by our 3rd pool play game then had a starter go down with a knee injury. But the girls rallied and pulled out a good win against St. Regis because we were talking, moving, and working well together. Our final game against Seeley was just silly mistakes and not moving our feet/talking.

“It's always nice to work out the kinks in the opening tournament and get a sneak peak of other teams.

Meanwhile, the Lady Trojans finished pool play at 1-2 and out of the playoff.

“Our play today was not the outcome we were hoping for,” said DHS Head Coach Paige Fickler after the event. “The girls had a busy first two days of school preceding the tournament, which may have contributed to our performance. We will regroup and come back stronger for our next game on Tuesday!”

Drummond heads off to Missoula to take on the Eagles of Valley Christian that day.

The Lady Prospector had their Tuesday game against Victor postponed and moved to October 18.