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

The Chinook Sugarbeeters began conference play last Thursday in Box Elder. The reigning District 6C East champions dispatched the Bears in straight sets 25-13, 25-17, 25-19 to begin conference play 1-0.

Friday and Saturday the 'Beeters were back on their home court as they hosted the 35th Annual Chinook Invitational Volleyball Tournament.

The Varsity Sugarbeeters were joined in the field by the Malta M-ettes, Glasgow Scotties, Geraldine/Highwood Rivals, Simms Tigers, Chester-Joplin-Inverness Hawks, Valier Panthers, Cut Bank Wolves, Shelby Coyotes, Conrad Cowgirls and on Friday the Chinook Junior Varsity.

In Pool Play the varsity fell to Glasgow in the opener 30-24 but rebounded to win their final three matches Friday.

First the 'Beeters took down Geraldine/Highwood 30-17. Junior Kourtney Hanson paced the 'Beeter attack with four kills in the set. Senior Sierra Swank and junior Megan Molyneaux each added two.

Chinook then defeated Cut Bank 30-19. Senior Carrie Hofer dug up eight balls in the set to lead the 'Beeter defense, Molyneaux collected four while Swank and senior Erin Pula recorded a kill each.

The team closed out pool play with a 30-18 win over Simms. Hanson tallied three kills while Hofer dug up seven balls to propel the 'Beeters to the win.

Saturday morning Chinook faced Chester-Joplin-Inverness in Tournament play falling 22-25, 25-15, 15-8.

The 'Beeters bounced back in loser out action taking down Simms 25-21, 25-23. Molyneaux and Hanson each totaled four kills and Hofer again led the team with seven digs.

Chinooks tournament came to an end with a 25-21, 25-24 loss to the Malta M-ettes.

Chinook will step back into conference play this Thursday when the face the North Star Knights in Gildford.

Pool A: Glasgow def. Chinook 30-24; Simms def. Highwood-Geraldine 30-17; Glasgow def. Cut Bank 30-19; Chinook def. Highwood-Geraldine 30-17; Cut Bank def. Simms 30-24; Glasgow def. Highwood-Geraldine 30-17; Chinook def. Cut Bank 30-19; Simms def. Glasgow 30-20; Cut Bank def. Highwood-Geraldine 30-22; Chinook def. Simms 30-18

Pool B: Chester-Joplin-Inverness def. Malta 30-26; Shelby def. Valier 30-11; Malta def. Chinook JV 30-18; CJI def. Valier 30-17; Shelby def. Chinook JV 30-23; Malta def. Valier 30-16; CJI def. Chinook JV 30-18; Malta def. Shelby 30-27; Chinook JV def. Valier 30-17; Shelby def. CJI 30-14.

Seeded Tournament Play - Saturday

First Round: Conrad def. Highwood-Geraldine 17-25, 25-17, 7-6; Simms def. Valier 25-18, 25-16

Quarterfinals: Malta def. Cut Bank 17-25, 25-17, 8-4; Chester-Joplin-Inverness def. Chinook 22-25, 25-15, 15-8; Shelby def. Simms 25-22, 18-25, 10-9; Glasgow def. Conrad 25-11, 25-15.

Loser out: Conrad def. Valier 24-25, 25-19, 10-8; Simms def. Highwood-Geraldine 25-8, 24-25, 15-7; Cut Bank def. Conrad 25-22, 25-19; Chinook def. Simms 25-21, 25-23.

Semifinals: Glasgow def. Malta 25-11, 25-20; Shelby def. CJI 25-20, 25-24.

Loser out: Cut Bank def. CJI 25-23, 25-24; Malta def. Chinook 25-21, 25-24

Championship: Glasgow def. Shelby 18-25, 25-16, 14-13.

Consolation Championship: Cut Bank def. Malta 25-22, 17-25, 8-7