The 2022 Volleyball season for the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds has come to a close. The Thunderbirds competed valiantly at the District 7C tournament in Fort Benton this past Thursday but fell in their match against the Box Elder Bears in straight sets.

The thunderbirds didn't go down without a fight giving the Bears their very best effort in sets one and two, but after tough setbacks, momentum was completely with the Bears.

The Thunderbirds matched the Bears at 8-8 and 12-12 in the first set and following a Kill from senior Kylee Zander they were once again in striking distance, trailing 15-16.

Hays/Lodge Pole evened the match at 17-17 and led 21-18 following a hitting error from Box Elder. The Bears called timeout and rallied down the stretch to win the opening set 25-23.

Set number two again saw the Thunderbirds test Box Elder at every point. Zander came up with a huge block at the net to put the Thunderbirds up 15-10 and another block moments later extended the lead to 18-12. Box Elder rallied to even the set at 23-23.

The Thunderbirds called timeout and took a 24-23 lead on an Ace from junior Gabrielle Walker, but Box Elder scored three straight to win the set 27-25.

The third set was all Box Elder. The Bears jumped out to a quick 7-1 lead and just kept adding to it. Box Elder led 12-4 and 20-6 before closing out the match with a 25-6 win to end the Thunderbirds season.