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

The Chinook Volleyball team earned a split this week to move to 3-1 on the season in District 6C play. Thursday night the 'Beeters were in Fort Benton where they fell in straight sets to the conference leading Longhorns. Saturday Chinook was back in front of the hometown crown and picked up a 3-1 match win over the Geraldine/Highwood Mountaineers.

The Sugarbeeters are a senior laden team and prior to the start of the varsity match against the Geraldine/Highwood they were recognized for their efforts. Seniors include: Crystal Hofer, Delaney Kellam, Jayden Miller, Lily Surber, Ginger Hauer and Hailey Bell.

The Sugarbeeters took a little time to get the kinks worked out after all the excitement of Senior Night.

Surber began the match with an Ace and Miller followed with a nice kill, but that was the only time the 'Beeters had the advantage in the opening set.

The Rivals took a 20-14 lead late but moments later sophomore Bree Swanson slammed home a nice kill and Miller added another to bring Chinook within three 23-20. The Rivals would win set one 25-22.

The Rivals started fast in set number two, taking a quick 5-0 lead. Chinook then found their offense in the second set and never looked back. A nice block by Swanson brought Chinook within two 11-9 as the momentum started to swing. Kellam made the score 14-15 with a nice corner kill and added another following a Surber Ace to give the 'Beeters an 18-15 advantage.

Kellam continued to roll down the stretch scoring another point at the net, recording a huge stuff block and finishing the set with an Ace to give Chinook a 25-19 second set win to even the match 1-1.

Surber started the third set with an impressive display from the serving line, picking up five Aces in a 9-0 start for the 'Beeters.

The Rivals would mount a bit of a comeback but a big block at the net from Swanson pushed the lead back to six, 15-9. Kellam added another big kill, a block followed by another kill down the stretch as Chinook cruised to a 25-15 third set win.

The fourth set was tightly contested with Chinook looking to win the match and Geraldine/Highwood hoping to extend it to five.

Senior Jayden Miller picks up a kill in set number two of Chinook's 3-1 win over Geraldine/Highwood Saturday night.

Bell evened the set at 4-4 with a solid attack but the Rivals would push the lead in their favor 8-5. Swanson scored at the net on back to back serves and a hitting error from the Rivals tied things at 8-8.

After trading poinst for a number of serves, Chinook closed out the rivals from the serving line. Hauer served the final three points of a 25-22 fourth set win, the last being an Ace for a 'Beeter match win 3-1.

Kellam led the 'Beeter attack with 13 of the teams 28 Kills. Surber found her mark from the serving line with nine Aces. Hauer set up the hitters with 17 assists. Kellam also led the defense with five blocks. Surber dug up 14 balls as well to lead the team.

Chinook will be home this Friday to welcome the Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks to town. Saturday they will head out on the road for a match with the Box Elder Bears.