'Beeters survive 5 set thriller, take down Knights; Win Fort Benton Mid-Season Tournament

The Chinook Sugarbeeter volleyball team had another stellar weekend on the court as they faced their toughest test of the season so far.

Friday the girls outlasted the rival North Star Knights in a five set thriller to remain undefeated in match play this season. The win also gave the 'Beeters a firm grasp of the top spot as the season begins to wind down and teams position themselves for top seeds heading into post season play.

Saturday the 'Beeters headed to Fort Benton to take part in the annual mid-season tournament.

Chinook breezed through pool play to earn themselves a spot on the championship bracket.

Chinook made the best of the opportunity and claimed the championship with a 2-1 win over the Great Falls Central Mustangs.

Against the Knights, two teams very familiar with each other battled late into the night before a winner was determined.

In the opening set the 'Beeters held 9-6 advantage before a mini run from the Knights saw the visitors take the lead.

Sophomore Kourtney Hanson put Chinook back on top 14-13 with a kill and the mood for the night was set. The two teams would go back and fourth till the end.

Senior Taylor Neibauer slammed home a kill off a nice set from senior Kelsey Mathon to give Chinook the first set win 25-20.

An Ace by junior Sierra Swank tied the second set at 15-15 beginning a string of serves from both teams that saw 10 lead changes.

Neither team could push the lead to two until Swank served three in a row to end the set with Chinook winning 27-25.

The third set was eerily similar as neither team could gain momentum, this time however it was North Star stringing three in row to win the third set 26-24.

The Knights looked to even things after forcing a fourth set.

Chinook overcame a 3-0 North Star start to lead 7-5 after a stuff block from senior Brooke Elliot. The Knights however strung five in a row to take control of the set, winning 25-19 to force a fifth and deciding set.

The Knights again led 3-0 early before the 'Beeters battled back. The teams traded points as they had done all night long.

North Star held a 11-9 lead late in the fifth set. Chinook had one final push left in them and a Hanson ace evened the score at 11-11 leading to a North Star timeout.

The 'Beeters responded emphatically after the timeout. Elliot picked up a huge stuff block, Mathon followed with a screaming ace.

Elliot then powered home a big kill down the line off a back set from Swank. With all the momentum the 'Beeters finished the contest on the strength of another ace from Mathon to win the fifth set 15-11 and the match 3-2.

Mathon paced the 'Beeter attack as the senior powered home 11 of the teams 30 kills in the win. Swank served four big Aces to help secure victory while also setting up the hitters with 14 assists.

Junior Carrie Hofer dug up 34 balls in the five set thriller and Neibauer collected three blocks in the win.

In Fort Benton Chinook first defeated the August Elk 25-12 and 25-8 as they began Pool play.

The 'Beeters next took down the Cascade Badgers 25-16, 23-21. The girls concluded Pool play with a 25-20, 25-16 win over the Geraldine/Highwood Rivals to finish Pool play with a 3-0 record.

Their undefeated mark earned the 'Beeters a spot in the championship bracket where they defeated the host Fort Benton longhorns 25-20, 25-22 to advance to the title match.

In the Chipper the girls faced off against the Great Falls Central Catholic Mustangs and earned a 15-25,25-10, 15-7 win to claim the championship.

Chinook will be in Fort Benton again this weekend as they face the Longhorns in a non-conference clash.