Hot Springs downed in divisionals

It wasn't the ending the Lady Savage Heat had in mind after an incredible regular season and the District 10-C tournament crown.

Hot Springs competed in the Western C Divisional tournament this past weekend in Butte, and while they came out strong, they weren't able to advance to the final day of play.

"It certainly wasn't the outcome we had hoped for," Hot Springs Head Coach Bonnie Franklin said. "But we had a great season and played really hard."

The Lady Savage Heat started off Thursday morning against Sheridan and had a strong performance in their sweep of the Panthers.

The Lady Savage Heat won 25-19, 25-22 and 25-14 in the first round.

Randi Arnold led the Lady Savage Heat with 12 of the teams 35 kills and 12 of the teams 54 digs. The Lady Savage Heat had seven blocks and Matea DePoe collected three of them. MacKenzie Wood had 21 of the team's 23 assists and also led the team with four of their 10 aces.

By beating the Sheridan Panthers, Hot Springs advanced to play the Philipsburg Prospectors. However this match was a much harder contest as Hot Springs lost 25-22, 25-22, 14-25, 24-26, and 15-12.

Wood led the Lady Savage Heat in the second game with four of the team's six blocks, 33 of the team's 34 assists and eight of the team's 21 aces.

For digs the Lady Savage Heat had 91 with DePoe and Fisher each collecting 20.

Due to the double elimination format of the tournament, Hot Springs received the chance to redeem themselves Friday as they went up against Gardiner.

It was a must win situation for the Lady Savage Heat as a loss would kick them out of the tournament.

Unfortunately for the Lady Savage Heat, Gardiner came out swinging and beat Hot Springs in four games, 25-12, 29-27, 23-25, and 25-23.

Despite an outcome that was less than ideal the team played hard. Arnold had 21 of the team's 52 kills. Wood had five of the team's 11 blocks, she also had 32 of team's 37 assists.

DePoe and Wood each had two of the Lady Savage Heat's six aces.

Gardiner ended up advancing to the state tournament.

"Gardiner was a really tough team," Franklin said. "I think they shocked a lot of people with just how badly they wanted it and how strong they were."

Despite it all Franklin said she was proud of her team.

"The girls played hard all season and kept working at it," Franklin. "This isn't how we wanted to end the season, but we don't have any reason to hang our heads."