Trojans, Coyotes advance
Trojans, Coyotes advance Troopers, Cards drop volleyball openers By STU MERRY The Sheridan County Coyotes and Turtle Lake-Mercer Trojans have advanced and will square off in the championship game of the District 10 Volleyball Tournament in Underwood tonight (Thursday). The upstart Coyotes – seeded No. 5 of six teams in the district, surprised Washburn 3-1 Tuesday night in semi-final action. The other semi-final saw TLM avenge two regular season losses to Garrison-Max, winning easily, 3-0. Scores were 25-18, 25-19 and 26-24. The loss relegates the Troopers to a region play-in game tonight (Thursday) against host Underwood. The Troopers and Comets split two regular season matches with the Troopers winning 3-2 this past Thursday, and the Comets winning 3-2 Sept. 30. Washburn will meet up with Wilton-Wing in the other region qualifier. Both the Cardinals and Troopers came in seeded No. 1 and No. 2 respectively and secured opening round byes. In opening round action Monday at Underwood, No. 4 Wilton-Wing was turned back in a come from behind match by Sheridan County, 3-2. The Miners were one game away from putting away the Coyotes,, but Sheridan County bounced back from the brink to win the last two games and advance to the region play-in bracket. Scores were 25-22, 26-24, 25-21, 25-17 and 15-6 In the nightcap, No. 3 Turtle Lake-Mercer disposed of host Underwood 3-1. Scores were 25-23, 25-18, 25-14 and 27-25. The top two seeds, No. 1 Washburn and No. 2 Garrison-Max, secured first round byes. Prior to the tournament, Trooper Coach Jim Snustad said this is the week that would tell it all. "The season doesn’t really matter any more, and it doesn’t matter how we got to where we are," he said. "All that really matters is what we do this week at the District Tournament. On Monday, Snustad said he hoped the experiences that the team gained along the way will assist it in advancing through the districts and on to regionals.
