The Highland Huskies carried over the momentum that ended their regular season into the volleyball playoffs by starting the Class 1A Region 7 tournament with a straight-sets win over Tri-County in the first round last night. Highland had to earn it in every set, battling to take the first 25-20 and grinding to win the second 25-18. The Huskies needed extra points for the clean sweep, but they fended off Tri-County in the third set 27-25.

Junior Sarah Burton again powered Highland with a monster night, finishing with 16 kills, two aces, 10 digs and a block. Sophomore Adeline Krotz also had a big impact with eight kills, five aces, 12 digs and a block. Senior setter Mylei Smith conducted the Husky offense to a sweet harmony with 17 assists while adding two kills, 19 digs and a block of her own.

Highland has now won five of its last eight matches to improve to 13-14. The fifth-seeded Huskies will have to hit the road for the 1A Region 7 quarterfinals when they next play tomorrow evening at Central City.