Granite sweeps Valley Christian, sets up showdown with Drummond

PHILIPSBURG – The Granite Lady Prospectors made short work of the visiting Lady Eagles from Valley Christian, winning in straight sets 25-21, 25-17, 25-23.

The victory advances Granite to 6-1 on the year with a match against the Lady Trojans looming on Thursday in Drummond. Should the Lady Prospectors win, they would give the Lady Trojans their first District 13C loss and tie them at 7-1. Granite holds the tie-breaker and a victory on their part would give them sole possession of first place with two matches left to play.

Granite was fully in control of the match’s first two sets, with the Lady Prospectors building big leads and Valley rallying to make it close at the end.

Set three was different as both squads battled it out all the way to the finish. And even when the Lady Eagles took a 23-22 lead, GHS Head Coach Kaley Hansen left her seniors in their as long as she could.

“I was trying to get a little more playing time for some people,” said Hansen of her team’s two-point in the deciding set. “I put a little more pressure on them I guess. I go back and forth about getting some people playing time, but also getting our core seven playing time together.”

Granite pulled out the final three points to secure the win and setup Thursday’s match against cross-county rival Drummond.

Junior Addison Spehar was top hitter for Granite with eight kills and three service aces. Her efforts earned her one of the two Kiko’s Player of the Game awards issued by the Flint Creek Courier broadcast team for the night.

The other went to Allison Benson who’s steady play throughout the match help the Lady Prospectors secure the victory. She finished the night with 16 digs, 3 kills and an ace.

Ella Tallon led everyone in assists with 20 while Ramsey Smith notched team highs in blocks (5) and aces (4).

SCORING

Valley Christian – 21/17/23 – 0

Granite – 25/25/25 – 3

STATISTICS

Kills – Smith 4, Benson 3, Spehar 8, Tallon 3, Piar 7, Lilyquist 5, KaWatkins 1

Blocks – Smith 5, Tallon 1, Piar 4, KaWatkins 2

Assists – Smith 1, Tallon 20, Piar 1

Digs – Smith 15, Benson 16, Flores 15, Spehar 7, Tallon 22, Piar 12, White 3, Lilyquist 30

Aces – Smith 4, Benson 1, Spehar 3, Tallon 2, Piar 3