Polson sweeps Ronan in regular-season volleyball finale

The Polson Lady Pirates closed out their regular season in convincing fashion Tuesday, Oct. 27, sweeping rival Ronan in three sets during senior night at Linderman Gym.

In the second meeting of the season between the two Lake County rivals, Polson overcame a second-set deficit before cruising to a 25-19, 25-22, 25-12 victory over the visiting Maidens.

The win improved the Lady Pirates to 13-1 overall and 11-1 in conference play, while Ronan finished its regular season at 5-9 overall and 4-8 in conference action.

The opening set featured a competitive battle at the net, with neither team gaining much separation early. The teams were tied at 14 before Polson found its rhythm down the stretch and pulled away for a 25-19 victory.

Ronan appeared poised to even the match in the second set, building an 18-13 advantage behind a strong offensive effort. But the Lady Pirates regrouped following a timeout, mounting a rally to erase the five-point deficit and tie the score at 20.

The Maidens continued to battle, with Sierra Blood delivering a spike that brought Ronan within a point at 22-21. However, Polson held off the comeback attempt to take the set 25-22 and build a commanding 2-0 match advantage.

The Lady Pirates carried that momentum into the third set, taking an early lead and never letting Ronan recover. Senior Aleysia Black helped seal the victory with back-to-back service aces, part of her match-high four aces, as Polson closed out the sweep with a 25-12 win.

Polson received contributions throughout its lineup, finishing with 33 kills, eight service aces and 47 digs.

Mckenna Corley led the Lady Pirates offensively with 11 kills, while Eliza Todd added nine. Logan McCrea contributed six kills, Embree Bird finished with four, and Piper Adams added two.

Black led the serving effort with four aces, while Anniston Flynn added two. McCrea and Rylee Taylor-Jefferson each contributed one. Taylor-Jefferson directed Polson's offense with a match-high 21 assists, while Kendyl Jaeger added five.

Defensively, Black anchored the Lady Pirates with 19 digs. Bird added nine, McCrea finished with six, and Taylor-Jefferson contributed five.

Todd also made her presence felt at the net, recording two blocks alongside her nine kills.

The match also gave Polson a chance to recognize five departing members of the program: Black, Corley, Taylor-Jefferson, Opal Nash and team manager Rhema Goodin.

Despite the defeat, Ronan received a strong performance from Blood, who led the Maidens with 10 kills, two blocks and eight digs. Kobe Stevens added three kills and a service ace, while Autumn Lozeau contributed two aces and 10 digs.

Marie Cheff helped direct the Maidens' offense with 11 assists, while Kailyn Marengo added five. Marengo also led Ronan's defense with 12 digs and added two blocks.

Ronan finished with 19 kills, three aces, six blocks and 47 digs.

While the Maidens were unable to extend the match, their second-set performance demonstrated their ability to challenge one of the conference's top teams. 

    Ronan’s Hosanna Wilson bumps the ball back towards Polson during their match on Tuesday, Oct. 27. (Christa Umphrey Photo)