FLORENCE – Anaconda came from behind then turned up the heat to win convincingly in a five-set slugfest, knocking off Troy 24-26, 25-21, 25-22, 20-25, 15-8 in the first round of the Western B divisional tournament Thursday afternoon.
Anaconda lost the first set 26-24 after holding game point 24-23, but then reeled off two set wins in the second and third games. Troy came from behind in Game 4 before the Copperheads controlled the final set convincingly.
The Copperheads out-hit 53-25 thanks to seniors Addison Jovanovich and Logan McKay with 20 and 15 kills, respectively. Jovanovich also let the match with six stuff blocks.
Mixing between 6-2 and 6-1 offenses in multiple sets, Anaconda found plenty of offense up and down the lineup. Sophomore Lexi Stetzner came off the bench in game 2 along with classmate Josie McKelvy for three and two kills. Eighth grader Maizee Mitchell, intragral at the net and service line for Anaconda, combined for five kills, three aces and a block.
Junior setter Addie Olson had five kills, the majority of assists and an ace while Reagan Shellenberg, Addi Case and Brigid Mehrens all added a kill apiece.
Troy was led the 12 kills and two aces from Addyson Fisher.
Anaconda now will take on the winner of Thompson Falls/Loyola at approximately 11:30 Friday morning in the semifinals.
To listen to the rebroadcast, go to the homepage and click on PODCASTS
Anaconda def. Troy 24-26, 25-21, 25-22, 20-25, 15-8
KILLS – Troy 25 (Fisher 12, Gamache 3, Manly 3, Jellesed 2, Hultron 2, Storkson 2, Hall). Anaconda 53 (Jovanovich 20, McKay 15, A. Olson 5, Mitchell 5, Stetzner 3, McKelvy 2, Shellenberg, Case, Mehrens). BLOCKS – Troy 4 (Manly 2, Storkson, Hultron). Anaconda 8 (Jovanovich 6, McKelvy, Mitchell). ACES – Troy 5 (Fisher 2, Hall 2, Gamache). Anaconda 6 (Mitchell 3, A. Olson, Stetzner, Case).
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