We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
The Chinook Sugarbeeters solidified their position atop the District 6C-East Volleyball standings with a 3-0 sweep of the conference rival North Star Knights.
The team followed that huge win by going undefeated at the Fort Benton Mid-season Tournament claiming the title with a 2-1 win over the Highwood/Geraldine Rivals in the championship.
Chinook rolled to a first set win over the Knights 25-16 on the strength of a steady offensive attack and solid back row play.
The second set was more of a challenge as the Knights made some good runs but Chinooks steady play kept the lead in their favor.
The Knights took the lead late in the set and even had a set point but the 'Beeters responded with took quick points to take the middle set 26-24.
The third and final set looked a lot more like the first with Chinook closing out the match following a 25-18 win.
Senior Brook Nicholson slammed home six of Chinook's 20 kills in the win and also dug up a team high 12 balls from the back row.
Junior Kelsey Mathon served up nine assists. Senior Lauren Harshman added three blocks in the contest.
Saturday the 'Beeters headed to Fort Benton to take part in the annual mid-season tournament.
It's a nice opportunity for the girls to face new competition that they may see again further down the road.
In pool play Chinook found themselves grouped with Fort Benton (JV), Cascade and Great Falls Central.
In the Opener the 'Beeters easily dispatched the Longhorn junior varsity by set scores of 25-10, 25-10.
Their second contest with the Cascade Badgers was nearly identical as the team won 25-12 and 25-9.
Their final pool play contest was with the Great Falls Central Mustangs. The opponent presented more of a challenge but Chinook still won easily coasting to a pair of 25-16 set wins.
With their 3-0 pool play record they earned a place in the semi-finals opposite a familiar foe in the North Star Knights.
Much like their regular season match Chinook won in straight sets 25-20 and 25-20.
Mathon slammed home five kills. Senior Cortney Gunderson served up five aces and sophomore Sierra Swank dished out ten assists.
In the championship it was the Highwood/Geraldine Rivals the 'Beeters would defeat 2-1.
The Rivals got the better of the 'Beeters earlier this season so to win here showed improvement.
Mathon powered home nine kills in the match to lead Chinook. Swank again was steady setting up the hitters with a dozen assists. Senior Lauren Harshman contributed seven total blocks.
"This season is really going well for us and we have been successful so far with an important win against North Star and repeating as champs in Fort Benton," stated Mathon.
"We've been working really hard everyday in practice preparing and we're excited for the rest of the season," added sophomore Taylor Neibauer.
Head coach Mollie Rose was plenty happy about the weeks matches, "This was a very successful week for us. We were able to play some top competitors in our District and Division, North Star, Great Falls Central, Cascade and Highwood Geraldine."
"They brought aspects that we had yet to see. Ultimately the bigger blocks, quicker sets and harder swings only motivated us. The girls played with confidence and heart," Rose stated.
"I look forward to this week and playing two more tough teams. Both CJI and Malta have a few players that can really swing so we will need to be strong defensively," concluded Rose.
