HAMILTON — Butte Central is one win away from the Class A State tournament.
The Maroons swept Anaconda 25-21, 25-23, 25-16 today to advance to the undefeated semifinals at the double-elimination Southwestern A Divisional tournament. The Maroons play Corvallis, which beat Hamilton today, at 7 p.m. The winner is guaranteed at least second place and a berth at state.
The Maroons have never qualified for the state tournament before.
Danee Leary continued her sensational season, smacking 18 kills to go along with 31 digs and four blocks to pace the Maroons (10-4 overall). Mariah Cooney added 11 kills and four blocks, while Annie Ossello killed seven.
Danika Neumann collected 32 digs, and Shannon McLaughlin (19) and Taylor Marthaller (12) carried the assist load.
BC split the regular-season series with Corvallis. Each team won on its home court.
BUTTE CENTRAL — Kills: 39 (Danee Leary 18, Mariah Cooney 11, Annie Ossello 7, Saidee Harrington 3). Assists: 34 (Shannon McLaughlin 19, Taylor Marthaller 12, Teresa Piazzola 3, Sierra Pica 3, Leary 1). Blocks: 11 (Cooney 4, Leary 4, Piazzola 2, Harrington 1). Aces: 3 (Neumann 1, Cassidy McGree 1 McLaughlin 1). Digs: 93 (Neumann 32, Leary 31, Marthaller 12, McGree 6, McLaughlin 6, Cooney 3, Piazzola 2, Ossello 1).
