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Sugarbeeters bring home hardware, finish 3rd at Northern C Divisional

The Chinook Sugarbeeters concluded another fantastic season on the volleyball court as they wrapped up their 2016 campaign with a third place finish at the Northern C Divisional in Conrad this past weekend.

The 'Beeters entered the Northern C as the District 6C-East champions and began tournament play against the No. 3 seeded Centerville Miners out the District 7C.

The two teams met in the opening match of the tournament bright and early Thursday morning with a 9:00 a.m. start.

Chinook got off to a nice start outlasting the Miners in a close contest to take the opening set 25-20.

The Miners responded with a flurry taking the second set 25-22 in a back and forth contest where both teams had momentum from time to time.

With the match all square at a set apiece it was Centerville that captured the third set 25-16 to take a 2-1 lead in the contest and seemed to have all the momentum.

The Sugarbeeters who have been a resilient bunch with their backs against the wall, fought back to even the match with a 25-22 fourth set win.

The fifth set tie break was another good battle but in the end it was Chinook that controlled the flow, taking a 15-10 set win and a 3-2 match win to advance to the quarterfinals.

Senior Kelsey Mathon led the 'Beeter attack with 15 kills in the win. Sophomore Kourtney Hanson added seven kills. Junior Carrie Hofer dug up 29 balls while Mathon recorded 25 digs herself. Junior Sierra Swank served up the hitters with 12 assists.

The Great Falls Central Mustangs were next up for the 'Beeters and another epic five set thriller ensued.

The first four sets were all back and forth contests decided by a mere two points each time. Chinook took set one 25-23 and set two 26-24. The Mustangs responded by winning set three and set four by identical 26-24 scores.

The fifth set again went in the 'Beeters favor 15-10 sending Chinook into the first semifinal contest of the tournament.

Hanson led the 'Beeter attack with 10 kills and five blocks. Mathon added six kills, seven assists, three aces and a team high 29 digs in the win. Senior Taylor Neibauer recorded eight blocks at the net in the win and Swank served up six of the teams 12 aces.

The 'Beeters run of good fortune ended their as they fell to the Belt Huskies in three sets Friday night sending the girls into loser out action Saturday morning.

Waiting for the 'Beeters were a Great Falls Central Mustang team who just 30 minutes prior won a pivital match to advance in the tournament.

The Mustangs seized control early and rolled to a 3-0 match win over the Sugarbeeters. Chinook concluded a fantastic season with the loss.