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

The Chinook Sugarbeeters and the Harlem Wildcats kept their seasons going after earning spots at the Northern B and C Divisional this weekend following their efforts at their respective District Tournaments.

The Chinook Sugarbeeters finished third at the District 6C-East Tournament in Chester earning them a spot at the Northern C Divisional.

The Sugarbeeters began the District 6C-East Tournament with a tough match against the host Chester-Joplin-Inverness Hawks.

Chinook raced out to a fast start, winning the first set 25-9 behind the strength of a pair of kills from senior Erin Pula, junior Rachel Gunderson and freshman Hailey Bell.

Sets two through four went the way of the Hawks as they closed out the match with set wins of 25-17, 25-19 and 25-20 to defeat the Sugarbeeters.

Pula led the 'Beeter attack with eight kills and senior Sierra Swank added 19 assists and 18 digs to the effort.

Next up for Chinook was a match with the Big Sandy Pioneers Thursday night.

Chinook started fast and never looked back in defeating the Pioneers in straight sets.

The 'Beeters took set one 25-19. Junior Kourtney Hanson and Bell each recorded three kills in the set and junior Megan Molyneaux dug up four balls.

Set two went the 'Beeters way 25-18 with Hanson Swank and Bell each recording a kill.

Set three was more of the same with Chinook winning 25-16. Hanson slammed home four kills and Molyneaux 2. Junior Lincy Johnson helped secure the back row with eight digs while senior Carrie Hofer collected six.

The 'Beeters then faced the Box Elder Bears Friday afternoon and again were victorious in straight sets.

Chinook defeated Box Elder 25-10,25-18 and 25-21. Hanson led the attack in set number one powering home four kills to get Chinook off to a fast start.

The 'Beeters kept things rolling in set two with Molyneaux as she led the attack with four kills. Swank dug up eight balls and Hofer and Molyneaux five each.

Swank, Molyneaux and Hanson each score three kills in the third set as Chinook moved on in the tournament.

The 'Beeters then found themselves in a rematch with the Hawks early Friday evening.

Chester/J-I took set one 25--13 to secure the early momentum.

The 'Beeters still had fight left in the tank and gave it all in a long drawn out second set that seemed at times like it would go on forever. In the end it was Chester/J-I pulling out a 34-32 set win.

Molyneaux recorded four kills in the set while Bell and Swank each recorded three. Hanson helped slow the Hawk attack with eight blocks in the marathon set.

Chester/J-I ended the 'Beeters District Tournament with a 25-21 third set win. For the match, Molyneaux tallied eight kills and bell seven while Hanson added 10 blocks.

Chinook will host the Northern C Divisional this Thursday though Saturday and will begin play Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. against the Simms Tigers.

The top two teams at the Northern C will advance to the State Tournament next week in Bozeman.

Harlem to face Choteau at Northern B Thursday Afternoon

The Harlem Wildcats continued their volleyball season by finishing fourth at the District 2B Tournament in Wolf Point.

Harlem closed out the regular season with a win over the Poplar Indians and faced them again in the opening match of the District Tournament.

Harlem came into the match as the No. 5 seed, while Poplar entered as the No. 4.

Harlem took the opening set 25-21 and won then second 15-17. The third set went the way of the Indians 25-18 but the Wildcats were able to win a tight fourth set 25-23 to win the match three sets to one.

Emily Ramone led the Harlem attack with eight kills. Taeshon Scheaffer and Aria Owens each served up six aces and Sheaffer added 10 assists in the win.

The girls then took on top seeded Glasgow wear they fell in straight sets, 25-12, 25-10 and 25-13.

Harlem's tournament ended with a loss to Malta 25-14, 25-18, 25-4.

Harlem will open the Northern B Divisional Thursday afternoon in Malta against the Choteau Bulldogs at 1:30 p.m.