The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Chinook Sugarbeeters have been dominate the past several years winning a fist full of District 6C East Conference and District championships.

The team has qualified for the Northern C Divisional the past three seasons as well, qualifying for the state tournament in both 2013 and 2015.

Head coach Mollie Rose again has a strong group of girls that will look to defend their titles and excel on the court.

The 'Beeters have been very good defensively and have focused on being a strong passing team throughout that stretch.

"I am very excited about this season and our potential. I have a group of girls that are working hard everyday to improve every aspect of their game."

"As tradition, we will strive to continue our strong passing game. Which was key in our success last season," stated Rose.

The 'Beeters have All-State senior Kelsey Mathon back at setter/outside hitter as well as seniors Taylor Neibauer, Nicole McCracken and Brook Elliot.

Junior Sierra Swank had a stellar junior year and will again fill the setter/outside hitter role with Mathon. Also back is junior libero Carrie Hofer.

Joining the team for her first season of volleyball is junior Jaye Anderson.

The sophomore class includes Kourtney Hanson, Megan Molyneaux, Lincy Johnson, Rachel Gunderson, Ashley MacLeod and Maloney Young.

Joining the team for their first experience at the high school level are freshman Whitney Doney, Raynee Hasler, Kendra McMaster, Sally Hallingstad and Shayna Rebbavarapu.

Managers this fall are juniors Haley McMaster and Erin Pula.

The team has a great experience at the highest level but will need to develop some depth as the season goes on.

"I have many returning players who got the opportunity to play at the state tournament last season that are showing great leadership and drive going into this season," concluded Rose.

Mathon, Neibauer and Swank were all around starters a season ago and will be counted upon to lead the team this fall.

"We are really excited for the season and working hard every day at practice trying to acclimate the rookies to fill in the spots from the people we lost last year," said Mathon.

"We're really proud of all the people stepping up this year to make us better in hopes that we return to state again this year," added Neibauer.

The team has high hopes for the season and getting things going this weekend is only the first step.

Elliot and McCracken will be counted on to shore up the middle both offensively and defensively.

Hofer played very well in the back row and will be counted on to secure the position.

Hanson and Molyneaux have great potential to make an impact and will be counted on.

"We have really high expectations of ourselves this year in terms of how far we want to go and the improvements we want to make as players, but we're going try to take it one game at a time and see what the season has in store for us," concluded Mathon.

The team will open play this Friday when they host the Fort Benton Longhorns in a non-conference match.

Saturday they will be in Malta for the day long round robin pre-season tournament.

The 'Beeters host their Annual tournament September 2-3. The Chinook Invitational is one of longest running tournaments in the state of Montana.

They will begin conference play on the road Friday, September 9 when they head to Gildford to take on the North Star Knights.

The 'Beeters conference home opener will be Thursday September 22 when they welcome the Chester-Joplin-Inverness Hawks to town during Homecoming week.

Senior night is scheduled for October 18 against Box Elder.

The District 6C-East tournament will be held in Chinook October 27-28 with the top two teams advancing to the Northern C.