BOZEMAN — Butte Central fell in four games to Billings Central in a loser-out match this morning at the Class A State tournament at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.
Casey Tehle tallied 15 kills to lead the Rams to a 17-25, 25-18, 25-15, 25-14 win.
Danee Leary smacked 11 kills and three blocks to pace the Maroons. Shannon McLaughlin served four aces and dished up 17 assists.
The loss ends what has to go down as the best season in school history. The Maroons had never qualified for the state tournament before.
The loss ends the BC volleyball career for Leary, McLaughlin and fellow seniors Danika Neumann, Mariah Cooney Taylor Marthaller and Annie Ossello.
Billings Central def. Butte Central 17-25, 25-18, 25-15, 25-14
Kills —Billings 54 (Casey Tehle 15), Butte 35 (Danee Leary 11). Aces — Billings (Erika Kuehn 2, Casey Tehle 2), Butte 5 (Shannon McLaughlin 4). Blocks — 12 (Jenny Garber 4, Justyn Juhl 4), Butte 5 (Leary 3). Digs — Billings 76 (Kuehn 24), Butte 68 (n/a). Assists — 52 (Baylee Hadley 48), Butte 29 (McLaughlin 17).
