Rival volleyball teams Huntley Project and Shepherd along with fans gather together for a historic picture at Brick Breeden Field House in Bozeman as history was made in three different ways Saturday, November 12, 2022. Shepherd Lady Fillies and Huntley Project Lady Red Devils both advanced to the state tournament together for the first time in history. In addition, Shepherd and Huntley Project played each other in the championship game twice due to it being a true double elimination state tournament. Shepherd had never won a state volleyball trophy before and took home 2nd place for the first time ever in school history. Huntley Project won their 14th state title adding to the most title wins for head Coach Iona Stookey and the Huntley Project volleyball program. You can also read McNiven’s Meanderings column about the historic event. (Anderson McNiven Photo)
by Michael J. Marino
History was made as both Shepherd and Huntley Project’s volleyball teams advanced from the Divisional round to the State Class B Championship Tournaments held on Saturday, Nov. 12 at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman, Montana.
This match-up is one never before seen at the state level in the history of high school volleyball. It was also the Shepherd Fillies first time since 1993 to advance all the way to the state tournament, and their first time ever placing in a state championship, taking home a second-place trophy.
Shepherd defeated the Townsend Bulldogs in the consolation game on Saturday morning, winning all three sets. The Fillies then played and beat Huntley Project’s Lady Red Devils in their First Championship Match with scores of 25-23, 25-21, 25-22. In the second championship, however, the Red Devils ended up taking home the title of State Class B Champions for a historic fourteenth time, after a true double elimination round ended the day in Bozeman, in which the final score was 25-21, 25-22, and 25-15.
In between games, Shepherd Head Coach Danielle Robison said words cannot describe how proud she is of her team for making it all the way to state. “They did the work,” said Robison, “and they deserve it.”
Robison also said heart and determination, along with the leadership of the seniors, has been a key to her team’s success this season. “They stay together, they’re best friends… and they never quit,” said Robison.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to get to play in the state championships,” the coach added, “especially with Huntley Project,” who she called a “stellar team.”
Huntley Project Head Coach Iona Stookey said going into the season with no seniors on the team was admittedly a bit nerve wracking, but said she spent a lot of time teaching her seven juniors how to be leaders. Making sure they were both mentally and physically prepared for the court, she noted, was also important.
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