Bulldogs Capture Third-Place Trophy At Divisional Tournament

The Bainville Bulldogs posted three hard-fought volleyball victories during the Eastern C divisional tournament in Sidney on Friday, Nov. 8, to earn hardware at the tournament.

“I’m so proud of how much this team grew throughout the season and the way they played every match with grit,” Bainville Coach Kallie Clarke said. “We had to take the long way through the losers’ bracket in both the district and the divisional tournaments, and they embraced the challenge.”

The third-place trophy was Bainville’s first from a divisional volleyball tournament in the school’s history.

“These girls are history makers for our school,” Clarke said. “They were disappointed we couldn’t quite get the job done to get to state, but they have nothing to hang their heads about.”

Seniors on the squad were Elsie Wilson and Miah Pippenger.

“Elsie and Miah have been excellent leaders for this team all season. They have embraced our team’s culture and held themselves and others accountable,” Clarke said. “They had big goals for their senior year and their teammates worked hard to give them the best senior year possible.”

The Bulldogs’ first victory on Friday came over Plentywood by a 25-11, 25-22, 25-10, final.

The serving of Hailey Berwick and Lila Butikofer led the Bulldogs to a 13-4 advantage in the first game. A kill by Addison Hansen and block by Wilson put the margin at 15-6.

With the score at 21-11, the Bulldogs accounted for the final four points including two kills by Berwick and a tip by Butikofer.

Bainville trailed by a 2017 margin in the second set, but kills by Wilson pulled the Bulldogs to 21-20. After a kill by Chandi Johnson tied the score at 21-21, Bainville grabbed the lead on aces by Hansen. Holding a 23-22 lead, the Bulldogs ended the set on a kill by Wilson and an ace by Johnna Ryder.

The Bulldogs rolled to an 18-6 lead in the third set. A kill and ace by Wilson increased the gap to 20-6.

Plentywood fought back with an ace by Avenlie Chandler and a tip by Mallory Tommerup, but kills by Berwick and Wilson helped close out the match.

Leading Bainville’s attack were Wilson with nine and Berwick with 11 kills. Butikofer accounted for 24 assists.

Hansen served three aces. Wilson finished with 21 digs.

Having blocks were Wilson, Hansen and Pippenger.

The Bulldogs then shocked district champion Scobey by a 23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-15, final.

After dropping the first set, the Bulldogs gained a 15-10 lead in the second set on kills by Wilson and Johnson along with an ace by Hansen.

Kills by Wilson and Berwick helped Bainville stay ahead at 20-16, but Scobey answered with a block by Kaytie Aanstad.

Butikofer then came through with a block and an ace for a 22-17 lead. Scobey’s Cammie Holum scored a kill and a block to close the margin to 23-19, but the Bulldogs accounted for the set’s final point on a kill by Pippenger.

The third set was backand-forth as a tip by Scobey’s Emery Rouse tied the set at 20-20. The Bulldogs earned the lead on a pair of kills by Wilson. After a kill by Aanstad, the Bulldogs struck for the final two points on kills by Wilson and Berwick.

The outstanding net play of Wilson and serving of Hansen led the Bulldogs to a 17-8 advantage in the fourth set. Ahead by a 19-11 score, the Bulldogs increased the gap to to 23-12 on a kill by Berwick and an ace by Hansen.

Scobey battled back to 2315 before Berwick smashed two kills for the 25-15 final.

Wilson and Berwick each finished with 14 kills in the victory. Butikofer had 33 assists.

Johnson and Butikofer each had five aces. Johnson had two blocks and Hansen added a block.

Leaders in digs were Berwick with 26, Wilson with 20 and Myers with 18.

The Bulldogs kept rolling with a 6-25, 25-23, 25-23, 2515, win over Jordan on Friday night.

After losing the first set, Bainville bounced back in the second set. Ahead by a 20-19 margin, the Bulldogs increased the gap to 23-19 on two kills by Berwick and ace by Butikofer.

Jordan cut the gap to 23-22, but Berwick responded with another kill to lead the Bulldogs to the win. Two kills and an outstanding block by Wilson highlighted play as the Bulldogs grabbed a 20-17 advantage in the third set.

Johnson scored a kill and Berwick added another for a 23-19 lead. After the Mustangs pulled to 23-22, the Bulldogs tallied two of the last three points on kills by Berwick.

The net play of Johnson and Berwick led Bainville to a 13-4 advantage in the fourth set. Ahead by a 17-9 margin, the Bulldogs gained further control on kills by Wilson, Butikofer and Berwick. A tip by Butikofer and an ace by Berwick put the margin at 22-14.

Wilson accounted for two kills down the stretch for the 25-15 final.

Berwick finished with 25 kills in the match while Wilson added nine kills. Butikofer accounted for 31 assists.

Leaders in digs were Pippenger with 27 and Wilson with 22. Wilson served four aces.

Having two blocks each were Johnson, Butikofer and Berwick.