Five Sugarbeeters earn All-State, All-Conference volleyball honors

Now that the state volleyball tournament has been completed the post season awards have been released.

The Chinook Sugarbeeters completed the season with a record of 20-4, claimed their third straight District 6C-East and Conference championship and were well represented on the various awards lists.

Five Sugarbeeters were selected to the District 6C-East All-Conference teams while four were further honored with All-State selections.

Seniors Brooke Nicholson and Cortney Gunderson were named to the District 6C-East All-Conference team for the second time earning first team honors.

Senior Lauren Harshman was honored with her first selection earning a spot on the second team.

Sophomore Abby Ellison and junior Kelsey Mathon also were selected to the District 6C-East All-Conference team with Ellison making the first team and Mathon the second team.

The post-season awards didn't end there as Nicholson was selected to First Team All-State for the first time.

Nicholson has been an integral part of 'Beeter volleyball all four years and a starter on the varsity her last three.

Gunderson, Mathon and Ellison all gathered Second Team All-State honors for the 'Beeters. Gunderson and Mathon have been staples at the varsity level the past three seasons while Ellison had a break out year this fall.

Nicholson, Gunderson, Mathon and Ellison were only part of a team that was respected around the state for their solid defensive effort every time out.

"Its a testament to how hard these girls work, our back row jump started our offense and our ability to serve receive and serve kept the pressure on our opponents," stated head coach Mollie Rose.

"We worked hard every day on not letting balls hit the floor and keeping points alive, these awards clearly represent the girls ability to do just that," concluded Rose

Nicholson, Gunderson and Mathon took turns leading the team in digs from match to match. Ellison became a force at the net, becoming a reliable attack option for the 'Beeters. Nicholson, Harshman and Mathon also proved very efficient around the net.

Harshman, Mathon and Ellison also were very adept at blocking while all five were a threat to score from the serving line each leading the team in aces at various times throughout the season.