'Beeters headed back to the state volleyball tournament following second place finish at the Northern C Divisional
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BCJ Staff
Sophomore Abby Ellison places the ball against the Belt Huskies during the championship match Saturday night.
The Chinook Sugarbeeters are headed back to the campus of MSU-Bozeman, more specifically the Brick Breeden Field House and a spot in the Class 'C' State volleyball tournament this Thursday through Saturday.
The girls earned their invitation following a strong second place showing at the Northern C Divisional in Belt this past weekend.
The 'Beeters found themselves in five very tough matches as they defeated the very talented Geraldine/Highwood Rivals twice and their District 6C-East nemesis North Star Knights enroute to the semifinal and championship match showdown with the Belt Huskies where they were defeated twice.
Chinook opened the tournament against the Rivals and played extra in a opening set 28-26 win. The Rivals would even the match 1-1 but Chinook would take sets three and four 25-22 and 25-19 for the 3-1 match win.
North Star was next up and proved to be a tough match as Chinook had to battle back from a 2-1 deficit to win the match 3-2 following a 15-6 fifth set win.
The win set up a semifinal contest with the undefeated Belt Huskies. Chinook competed very well but wasn't able to break through as they fell in 3 straight sets.
The loss set up a rematch with Geraldine/Highwood with a trip to the state tournament on the line. The Rivals took set one but the resilient 'Beeters stood tall and won the next three sets 25-21, 25-17 and 25-14 to earn another shot at the Huskies.
Chinook played much better but still fell in three by scores of 17-25, 21-25 and 20-25.
Sophomore Abby Ellison led the team in kills over the weekend. Seniors Brooke Nicholson, Lauren Harshman, juniors Kelsey Mathon and Taylor Neibauer also contributed. Senior Cortney Gunderson, Mathon and Nicholson secured the back row digging up ball after ball.
Sophomore Sierra Swank added to the offensive attack with several kills but led the team in set assists in four of the five matches while Mathon also set up the hitters.
Harshman and Neibauer and junior Brooke Elliot led the team at the net with their blocking ability up front.
Ellison was a catalyst for the offense all tournament long and was very pleased with the teams efforts, "Our team played exceptionally well. Our success is possible because of our discipline in practices, positive attitudes, and good communication skills. I knew that we were going to make it far in the post-season. We have put so much hard work in everyday since the volleyball season has began. I am very excited to get the chance to play at State this year and I know it will be a good experience for all of us."
Sophomore setter and right side hitter Sierra Swank was also very proud of what the team accomplished, "Our team achieved our goal which was to advance onto the state tournament. Watching my sister and the rest of the team play the last time Chinook went to state, really motivated me. I knew I wanted to be able to come back and play on those courts. Now that it is actually happening, I, along with the rest of my amazing teammates, feel excited and determined to play our best at the tournament."
Head Coach Mollie Rose was with the team in 2013 and has her team prepared for the big stage, "I'm extremely proud of the girls and their stellar performance at the divisional tournament. They had the toughest bracket as they had to play Geraldine/Highwood and North Star on the very first day of the tournament. We had to battle for every point, but the girls showed confidence and determination against every opponent we encountered."
As for this weekend in Bozeman, Rose concluded, "We will be seeing some very skilled competition this week which includes our first match against last year's state runner up Manhattan Christian. It's a new year though and I have a group of girls that are driven talented and mentally tough."
Chinook 3
Geraldine/Highwood 1
Chi. – 28 17 25 25
G/H – 26 25 22 19
Chinook - Kills - 37 (Brooke Nicholson 10; Kelsey Mathon 9; Abby Ellison 8); Blocks - 17 (Lauren Harshman 5; Abby Ellison 4); Aces - 3 (Brooke Nicholson 1; Abby Ellison 1; Sierra Swank 1); Digs - 87 (Cortney Gunderson 22; Kelsey Mathon 22); Assists - 32 (Sierra Swank 20; Kelsey Mathon 11).
Ger./Hwd. - Kills - 52 (Adrian Malek 15); Blocks - 3 (Adrian Malek 2); Digs - 67 (Denise La Fontaine 16); Assists - 34 (Katey Long 31); Aces 5 (Katy Long 3).
Chinook 3
North Star 2
Chi. – 25 17 24 25 15
N.S. – 22 25 26 20 6
Chinook - Kills - 40 (Abby Ellison 15; Lauren Harshman 8); Blocks - 21 (Taylor Neibauer 6; Lauren Harshman 5; Kelsey Mathon 5); Aces - 10 (Lauren Harshman 3; Kelsey Mathon 3; Sierra Swank 3); Digs - 103 (Cortney Gunderson 22; Brooke Nicholson 22; Abby Ellison 16); Assists - 40 (Sierra Swank 27; Kelsey Mathon 12).
North Star - Kills 51 (Sheridan O'Neil 23); Assists: 47 (Graysen Spicher 47); Aces 1 (Sheridan O'Neil 1); Digs 86 (Sheridan Spicher 18); Blocks 14 (Sheridan O'Neil 8).
Belt 3
Chinook 0
Belt – 25 25 25 Chinook – 15 16 20
Chinook - Kills - 23 (Abby Ellison 8); Blocks - 10 (Lauren Harshman 8); Aces - 2 (Sierra Swank 2); Digs - 65 (Cortney Gunderson 24); Assists - 19 (Sierra Swank 15).
Belt - Kills 33 (Sara Anderson 10); Assists: 31 (Addy Martin 30); Aces 6 (Emily Stoker 3); Digs 89 (Alison Stoker 24); Blocks 6 (Dani Urick 3).
Chinook 3
Geraldine/Highwood 1
Chi. – 19 25 25 25
BCJ Staff
Head Coach Mollie Rose gives her team instructions during the match against Geraldine/Highwood Saturday morning.
G/H – 25 21 22 14
Chinook - Kills - 30 (Abby Ellison 9); Blocks - 8 (Lauren Harshman 6); Aces - 4 (Kelsey Mathon 2; Sierra Swank 2); Digs - 118 (Cortney Gunderson 30); Assists - 26 (Sierra Swank 19).
Ger./Hwd. - Kills - 46 (Makae Nack 13); Blocks - 5 (Makae Nack 3); Digs - 76 (Adrian Malek 15); Assists - 31 (Katy Long 28); Aces 4 (Makae Nack 2, Coya Mack 2).
Belt 3
Chinook 0
Belt – 25 25 25 Chinook – 17 21 20
Chinook - Kills - 20 (Abby Ellison 10); Blocks - 8 (Abby Ellison 4); Aces - 4 (Kelsey Mathon 2); Digs - 40 (Brooke Nicholson 12); Assists - 19 (Kelsey Mathon 10).
Belt - Kills 35 (Emily Stoker 11); Assists: 35 (Addy Martin 34); Aces 5 (Emily Stoker 2); Digs 62 (Emily Stoker 14); Blocks 7 (Sarah Anderson 4).
