BOZEMAN — Tuesday night marked the first-ever crosstown volleyball match between the Bozeman Hawks and the Gallatin Raptors. Their first meeting was postponed on Oct. 1 due to COVID-19, which is why they'll be playing each other again on Thursday. After falling in the first two sets, Gallatin won three straight to upset Bozeman 16-24, 23-25, 25-15, 25-18, 15-11.
Bozeman put the hammer on Gallatin early Tuesday night, building as much as a 10-point lead during Set 1. Up 23-16, Bozeman's Kamryn Larson served a short ball, making it almost undiggable. Gallatin was able to get under it and hit it straight up above the net. Karinna Mortenson capitalized and spiked it right back over into Gallatin territory. The Hawks won Set 1 the following point, 25-16.
Gallatin regrouped in Set 2, putting up a tough fight. Fast forward to the end of the set, Gallatin was chasing only two points. Freshman sensation Addie Swanson set the ball behind her back to Makyah Albrecht for one of many kills on the night.
But in the end, it was all Bozeman. Carissa Stratman put the game away with a kill from outside. The Hawks won Set 2, 25-23.
Down two sets, it was win or go home for the Raptors. Not ready to call it a night, Gallatin bounced back, building a nine-point lead at the end of Set 3. Swanson set it outside to Ryann Eddins, who called game with a kill shot to center court.
The Swanson-to-Eddins connection was Bozeman’s Kryptonite the following set. Up 23-18, Eddins came up big once again with another spike from outside. The Raptors forced the game to five sets with a 25-18 victory over the Hawks.
With momentum on their side, the Raptors held a comfortable lead most of the final set. On the final point of the night, Bozeman's Clara Fox set the ball behind her for a slide attack by Kamryn Larson, but Gallatin blocked it for the win.
Bozeman has a rematch with Gallatin Thursday night at 7 p.m.
