Noxon volleyball tests top-rated Charlo

As has been the case in recent Montana Class C volleyball seasons around these parts, the path to the conference championship once again goes right through Charlo.

And it looks like the road may be clear following the Lady Vikings dispatching of the host Noxon Lady Red Devils, 3-0 Saturday night.

But in a sign that gives hope to the rest of the conference, most teams despite being swept have pushed the Lady Vikings to the limit in individual sets. So far this year in conference play, only St. Regis has managed to win a set from Charlo, that in a 3-1 loss to the Vikings a couple weeks ago.

And while Charo racked up another sweep in their 3-0 win over Noxon, it was not an easy cruise, especially the first set which the Lady Vikings narrowly won by a score of 25-22.

A glimmer perhaps that they can be beaten and almost every other team in the conference has had at least one solid set where they have pushed the Lady Vikings to the max.

Charlo came back to win set two 25-15, then closed out the match sweep with a 25-17 win in set three.

The win improved Charlo to 3-0 on the year and 2-0 in Western 14-C play. Noxon, meanwhile, dropped to 2-3 in the conference and 3-3 on the season overall.

Noxon had solid games from several players, including Emily Brown’s four kills, three blocks and two digs night, and Mia Vogel who recorded six aces, five kills and eight digs. As a team the Lady Devils had 16 aces, eight kills, 16 assists and 22 digs for the game.

Charlo got nine kills from Hayleigh Smith, 11 digs from Sidney Bauer and 17 assists out of Payton Smith.

Next up for the Lady Red Devils is a game tonight (Tuesday) in Pablo against Two Eagle River. Noxon will take part this Saturday in the Mission Shootout.