HELENA -- The Helena Capital Bruins have a very impressive resume headed into this year's state volleyball tournament. They'll come into the 2019 State AA tournament as the reigning champion with an undefeated record in 2019.
Though they get to wear the badge of honor, being the reigning champion, the Bruins aren't getting hung up on that. They know the past is in the past, but they also know the seven other teams in the tournament haven't forgotten. The Bruins know there's a target on their back as they head into this year's state tournament, and they're OK with it.
"Big time," said senior Sarah Ashley with a chuckle. "I think we've had that all season. We always say, 'Expect the best play that you've seen from every team,' because every team wants to beat us. We don't want to let that get to our heads, but we know that we're going to see the best competition from every team each time we play."
"I feel like we've had that target since August, and we're comfortable wearing it," said head coach Rebecca Cleveland. "Understand that you've earned it, but then you have to represent when you're on the court. So that target should be a motivator and I feel like it has."
The Bruins will head into Brick Breeden Fieldhouse with that target on their back and will face the team they beat twice en route to that 2018 state championship, the Bozeman Hawks, on Nov. 14 at 10 a.m.
