MISSOULA – The Missoula Hellgate Knights are heading to the state volleyball tournament, and it came at the cost of the two-time defending state champion, crosstown rival Missoula Sentinel.
Hellgate picked up its second consecutive victory on the Spartans’ home floor, 3-2. Hellgate earns its first trip to the Class AA state tournament since 2015. Sentinel is eliminated and will not get a chance to go for a third straight title in Bozeman next week.
The Knights came ready to play from the first serve. Hellgate dominated the first set, 25-12. Sentinel built a big lead in the second, before hanging on to win 25-23.
Hellgate once again completely controlled the third set 25-10. But the Knights couldn’t keep up the momentum in the fourth, when Sentinel stayed alive with a 25-15 triumph.
Hellgate bounced back the final time, and finished off the thrilling win, 15-9 in the final set.
