Helena Capital wins 1st State AA volleyball title since 2002
BOZEMAN — Helena Capital finished the Class AA state volleyball tournament the same way it started it.
On top.
The Bruins, who coaches ranked the top Class AA team in the regular season, defeated Bozeman 23-25, 25-19, 25-22, 27-25 in the state championship Saturday at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. It's Capital's first championship since 2002 and is the third consecutive title for a team from the Western AA.
Sarah Ashley, Dani Bartsch and Paige Bartsch each produced big games in Saturday's championship. Ashley had a match-high 17 kills while also contributing three aces and 14 digs. Dani Bartsch had 12 kills and 13 digs, and Paige Bartsch had seven blocks. The Bruins had 12 blocks as a team compared to just five for Bozeman.
Audrey Hofer had 44 assists and Emily Kidder had four aces for the Bruins.
Bozeman, which swept Billings West 25-16, 25-23, 25-23 in Saturday's third-place match, was led by Mara Lynch's 14 kills. Ayla Embry had 23 digs and three aces, and Emma Fox had 35 assists.