Sugarbeeters sweep Big Sandy, finish 3rd at own Invitational

 

September 5, 2018

Senior Kourtney Hanson slams home a kill Saturday at the Chinook Invitational Tournament. The 'Beeters finished third in the tournament, defeating Cut Bank 25-12, 25-21 in the consolation final.

The Chinook Surgarbeeters had a fantastic week on the court. It began with a three game sweep of the Big Sandy Pioneers in the District 6C-East opener for both teams.

The Sugarbeeters then hosted the 36th Annual Chinook Invitational on Friday and Saturday, finishing third in a field that included quality teams from the Class B and Class C ranks.

Thursday in Big Sandy the girls wasted little time in dispatching the Pioneers.

In the opening set the 'Beeters cruised to a 25-13 set win. Set number two, almost mirrored the first with the Sugarbeeters winning 25-15. They closed out the Pioneers with a 25-16 third set win to start 1-0 in conference play and improve to 2-0 overall.

Senior Kourtney Hanson recorded nine kills in the win and one block to lead the attack. Sophomore Ginger Hanson led the team with 13 assists and a .333 hitting percentage, tallying four kills, and six aces in the win. Senior Megan Molyneaux paced the defensive effort with seven digs.

Friday in Chinook the 'Beeters were in Pool A with The Conrad Cowgirls, Cut bank Wolves, Valier Panthers and Glasgow Scotties. Pool B included the Malta M-ettes, Chester-Joplin-Inverness Hawks, Shelby Coyotes, Geraldine/Highwood Mountaineers and Simms Tigers.

In Pool play action teams played one match to 30 with a thirty minute time limit. The Sugarbeeters opened up with a 30-34 win over the Glasgow Scotties.

They then followed with a 30-22 win over the Valier Panthers. Chinook then fell to the Cut Bank Wolves in their third match of the day. The 'Beeters responded by defeating Conrad handily, 30-19.

At the conclusion of pool play the Surgarbeeters had earned the No. 2 seed out of Pool A as the teams headed into bracketed tournament play Saturday morning.

In the quarterfinals match morning the Sugarbeeters opened play against the Malta M-ettes. Tournament play consisted of a best of three format with sets one and two being first to 25 and set three being first to 15 with sets being capped meaning teams didn't need to win by two. These matches were also played with a 50 minute time limit which meant that third sets, if necessary, may not be concluded making points early even more important

Chinook took the first set against the M-ettes with a score of 25-21. Set number to saw the M-ettes take a early lead and hold a steady three to four point advantage for much of the way but the Sugarbeeters were able to come from 23-20 down to win 25-24 and win the match 2-0.

The Sugarbeeters advanced to the semifinal round where they faced the No. 1 seed from Pool A, the Simms Tigers.

The Tigers swept through pool play undefeated and took down Chester-J/I in their quarterfinal match.

Chinook played well in the opening set but eventually fell 25-20. Set number two saw the two teams play another competitive game but again the Tigers came out on top, 25-21 to win the match 2-0.

The loss dropped the Sugarbeeters into a lose out match against Shelby Coyotes. In the opening set the Sugarbeeters started fast and finished strong winning the opener 25-10.

The Coyotes got even in the second set with a 25-15 win to force a winner take all third set. In the finale it was the Sugarbeeters that survived with a 15-11 set win and a 2-1 match win.

In the Consolation

Final the Sugarbeeters faced the Cut Bank Wolves and again started fast, quickly winning the opening set 25-12. Chinook never let the Wolves back into the match and secured a third place finish with a 25-21 set win to take the match 2-0.

Ashley Macleod digs up a ball Saturday morning. The 'Beeters were able to keep the ball alive and made great passes throughout the tournament.

Head Coach Paula Molyneaux was pleased with her teams effort over the weekend, "We demonstrated improved passing and I thought that defensively we did a good job of keeping the play alive. I was extremely pleased with our 3rd place finish in a field of very respectable and competitive class B and C teams."

"I would also like to take a moment to thank all the volunteers that help make this tourney work. We are one of the only tournaments where the community provides the workers allowing the players and coaches to just concentrate on the game. I am very thankful for all the great help that we received," concluded Molyneaux.

Hanson led the 'Beeter attack with 13 kills, Molyneaux added 10. Hauer led the team with 23 set assists while senior Lincy Johnson and Hanson tallied 17 digs. Sophomore Delaney Kellam totaled three blocks. Chinook will play North Star this Thursday their next home match.

 
 

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