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

The Chinook Sugarbeeters are playing very well as the regular season winds down. Tuesday in Malta the 'Beeters swept the M-ettes 3-0. Thursday in front of the home town fans Chinook turned the trick again, defeating the visiting Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds in straight sets as well.

The Harlem Lady Cats took down the Malta M-ettes in a five set thriller on Friday night, completing the season sweep for the first time in school history. Saturday the Lady Cats were in Glasgow taking on the District 2B top team. Harlem played well, taking a set in a 3-1 loss to the Scotties.

The 'Beeters were in Malta last Tuesday looking to complete the season sweep of the M-ettes. Chinook swept the M-ettes 3-0 in the teams first match of the season and were looking to do it again on the road.

The M-ettes came to play early on and challenged the 'Beeters for every point but in the end it was Chinook winning the opening set 25-23. The 'Beeters took an early lead in set number two and maintained some breathing room throughout in extending their advantage to 2-0 following a 25-19 second set win.

The 'Beeters took the M-ettes best shot in the first two sets and were able to open things up in set number three as they closed out the M-ettes with a lopsided 25-8 third set win.

Junior Delaney Kellam led the 'Beeter attack with 11 Kills in the match. Junior Ginger Hauer started the offense with 18 Assists in the win and Kellam dug up 10 balls to start the attack for Chinook.

Thursday the 'Beeters welcomed the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds to town in a District 6C-East contest. The Sugarbeeters are undefeated in conference play, having dropped just two sets all season.

Chinook started fast and never looked back taking all three sets by identical 25-7 scores. Kellam again paced the offensive attack with 13 Kills on the night. Hauer recorded 17 of the teams 21 Assists in the win. Defensively, junior Lily Surber dug up seven balls for the 'Beeters and freshman Bree Swanson served seven Aces to help power the attack.

The 'Beeters were in Chester on Tuesday to take on the Hawks in another District 6C-East contest, results will be in next weeks paper. The 'Beeters will travel to Gildford on Friday, October 25 to take on the Knights in a huge conference clash that will in all likelihood be for the regular season conference championship.

In Malta on Thursday the Lady Cats were looking to complete the season sweep against the M-ettes, a first in school history. The girls were also looking to win their third straight conference match, also a irst.

The M-ettes were celebrating Senior Night and had the momentum early on, taking the first set 25-22. Harlem bounced back in set number two, evening the match at 1-1 following a 25-21 win. Malta took set three, 25-19 to put the pressure back on the Lady Cats.

Harlem has been a resilient group this season and answered the call by winning set number four 25-17 to even the match and then closed out the M-ettes with a 15-12 fifth set win. Senior Layla Skidmore slammed home 10 Kills in the big win and senior Jessica King served up five Aces. Senior Taeshon Schaeffer set the hitters up with 17 Assists to lead the team.

"It was their senior night and their girls played extremely hard, so we had to get our minds straight and get the job done. The girls are starting to like playing in loud gyms and getting into the intense matches. They are learning that is what it takes to compete at the higher level" stated Head Coach Kim Faulkinberry.

Saturday the girls were in Glasgow looking to turn the tables against he Scotties. Harlem was swept by Glasgow at home in the teams first meeting.

Sophomore Allison Powell scores a point in second set action against the Thunderbirds.

Saturday the Scotties doubled up the Lady Cats in the opening set, winning 25-12. Harlem again showed some mental toughness in set number two, evening the match with a 25-23 second set win. Glasgow would go on to win sets three and four and earn a hard fought, well played 3-1 win over a rapidly improving Lady Cat team. Senior Sarah Billmayer led the attack with nine Kills and Schaeffer added 16 Assists.

"We were able to get one set and played extremely well in the last two," said Faulkinberry. "We showed that we can compete with the upper teams and beat them. We will see them down the road at tournament time and we will see what can happen then." Harlem improves to 8-3 overall and 4-2 in District 2B play, solidifying No. 2 position.

The Lady Cats will host the Wolf Point Wolves on Friday and are looking forward a loud and full gym when they play the Districts No. 3 team.