BELGRADE — Saturday afternoon marked the last game of the volleyball regular season for both Belgrade and Bozeman Gallatin. Capping off their first season as a volleyball program, the Raptors finished victorious over the Panthers in four sets, 25-20, 14-25, 25-23, 25-21.
Gallatin came out swinging from the jump, taking a comfortable lead over Belgrade in Set 1. The Raptors' Makyah Albrecht was a major part of the team's success on Saturday. Up 20-15, Albrecht shuffled back opposite of setter to get in hitter position and came in with the hammer for one of many kills on the day. The Raptors went on to win Set 1, 25-20.
Belgrade bounced back in the second set, building a 23-12 lead over the Raptors. Down by 11, Gallatin's Addie Swanson dove to the ground to try to keep a spiked ball alive. She was able to dig the kill attempt but bumped over a high pass to give Belgrade time to react. The Panthers set the ball outside to Kameryn Gorrell for a kill. The Raptors did get a hand on it but weren't able to frame the block.
On set point, Belgrade's Taylor Nicks spiked the ball cross-court. Gallatin was able to get to the ball, but there was a miscommunication, and the Raptors let the ball drop. The Panthers won Set 2, 25-14.
At the start of Set 3, the Panthers were down by seven but clawed their way back into the game. Down by three, Belgrade's Delanee Hicks set the ball behind her, and middle hitter Gracey Carter went in for the slide attack. Gallatin was able to get a hand on it but did not recover.
Two plays later, it was the Panthers' serve. Gallatin was up by one and only needed to side-out for the win. Tayler Thomas tried to tie it up from outside with a kill attempt, but Albrecht put up a huge block for the win. The Raptors took a 2-1 lead over the Panthers.
Gallatin won Set 4 25-21, beating Belgrade 3-1.
