We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
2024 Chinook Volleyball Team
BCJ Sports
The fall sports season is upon us, and with that, the Chinook Sugarbeeters are hard at work in the gym and gearing up for the 2024 season.
The 'Beeter Volleyball program is led by new Head Coach, Tess Langford. Langford was the assistant coach the last several seasons and is very familiar with the program and the athletes. "While I am new to this role as head coach, I am not new to this program. We were very lucky to have had Paula Molyneaux at the helm for so many years. She really laid the groundwork for a successful program. I was so lucky to have her as a mentor and so were our kids. We haven't changed a whole lot with the program. 'If it ain't broken, why fix it?' It was most important for the transition to be easy for the kids so we could just focus on volleyball."
Joining Coach Langford are new coaches, Coach Waldbillig and Coach Hauer. "I've got two new assistants, Shay Waldbillig and Shay Hauer. They are both super knowledgeable and really add a lot of insight."
The roster is strong top to bottom with 25 students out this season. "We are really excited about the upcoming season. We've completed our first full week of practice and the girls have been working hard. They all really stepped into the gym this year with some high energy and focus", said Langford. "I'm really proud of the effort they've put in already, especially with school starting right at the beginning. They have all really buckled down and have been focused in practice."
Returning to the lineup this fall are seniors Rilee Molyneaux, a 2nd Team All-Conference selection from a season ago, Addison Olsen, Hannah Schoen, Gracie Skoyen, Ashlyn Jensen and Sami Malsam. "Our Varsity squad has 6 seniors that have all had varsity experience. Those girls are really stepping into their leadership role, and it's been fun to watch their growth over the years," remarked Langford
Juniors for the Sugarbeeters are Falyn Cecrle, Tayla Richman, Brooke Fetter, Lori Mord, Mara Edwards, Olivia Bartlett and Madison Dunkin. Sophomores out this season include Kamry Gustitis, Sidney Liddle, Amyerah Kelly and Kealey Logan.
Freshman getting their first taste of high school volleyball include Rylin Collins, Lilly Dunkin, Quin Billmayer, Sydney Bowles, Laura Danley, Chyler Stanford, Lexi Kuntz and Rachel Bilger.
Last year's season didn't end how the 'Beeters would have liked, but that memory has only fueled their drive and determination for this season. Coach Langford and the 'Beeters are ready to put in the work, "We've got some big goals," said Coach. "They, of course, want to make it to Divisionals. Last year we came up short, and we are using that as fuel and motivation to make it happen. A few of these seniors were on the team that made it to State in 2022, and they definitely have their sights set on that again. I think once you've experienced what it feels like to play at that level, you, of course, want to get back there. We are taking this season one game at a time, and they know we have a lot of work to do."
While they have a lot of experience returning among the six seniors, the 'Beeters will be looking to the younger classes to complete the team. "We've got some young kids stepping into big roles this year as well, with a couple of juniors and sophomores rounding out our varsity lineup.
The 'Beeters made the move to Class B last year and will be competing in the District 1B again this year. In the 1B with the 'Beeters are the Fairfield Eagles, Shelby Coyotes, Rocky Boy Morning Stars, Cut Bank Wolves, Conrad Cowgirls and the Choteau Bulldogs.
The 'Beeters get their season underway this week and are ready to start working towards their goals. Langford shared, "we are really excited to get going and so are the girls. We start our season off this week with Rocky Boy at home on Thursday night, and then we will head to a pre-season tournament in Malta. It's always fun to go there and play against different teams."
Action starts on Thursday against the Morning Stars with the C Squad hitting the court at 4:15. JV will take the floor 15 minutes after the conclusion of the C squad game. Varsity action takes place 20 minutes following the JV game.
