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

The Chinook Sugarbeeter Volleyball team has had a good run at or near the top of the District for years and expectations remain the same for the 2021 season.

The 'Beeters compete in the tough District 7C and are expected to battle with the Fort Benton Longhorns and North Star Knights for the top spot. This year Head Coach Paula Molyneaux has 26 athletes in uniform that will fill the Varsity and Junior Varsity teams.

Seniors providing leadership at the top are Tylie Richman, Shay Hauer, and Allison Powell. Juniors who will help lead the team include, Bree Swanson, Lexi Pitkanen, Belle Elliot, Anna Terry, Torin Cecrle, Sarah Gillett and Aspyn Colby.

Sophomores looking to add leadership and take the next step are Hallie Neibauer, Teagan Richman, Mya Berreth, Britton Elliot and Jenna Liddle. Freshman getting their first taste of High School Volleyball are Brianna Boettcher, Sami Malsam, Jeni Mord, Shae Shackelford, Alexus Seymour, Madilyn Gruszie, Addison Olsen, Rilee Molyneaux, Ashlyn Jensen, Hannah Schoen and Gracie Skoyen.

The 'Beeters return a number of players with experience that will be counted on to provide leadership at the top, "Our returning starters are (senior) Allison Powell, (junior) Bree Swanson, and (sophomore) Hallie Neibauer. We will have a relatively young crew as the rest had either very limited roles on Varsity or were on JV," said Molyneaux. "However, they are a young crew with tons of potential and are very willing to work at skill improvement and building a solid team."

The Sugarbeeters lost a significant number of players due to graduation, but the core that returns has played together for sometime. They are familiar with each other on the court and had a productive summer where they competed very well at the Big Sky State Games against Class AA and Class A teams as well as earning a win over a very tough Class C Fairview team.

The coaching staff and players are very familiar with each other as they have been working together through junior high and high school. Molyneaux always seems to have a good connection with her team each fall and this year is no different, "This group of players are very coachable. In addition, they are not afraid to work hard."

Having a team that, as a whole, is so new to the varsity game but is familiar with each other as this years squad is, is unique. The idea of what you can expect is a little more cloudy, but Molyneaux will sure get the most out of her team, "I expect that as we get going through the season, we will have some successes and some times of learning, but overall I am excited to see how things go."

With the 'Beeters having so little experience at the varsity level it doesn't change the idea of where leadership should come from, "I expect to see leadership from the seniors and returning starters. They have been devoted to the success of our program. It has been appreciated and I see it as part of our assets. I would hope that our newcomers and younger crew follow in the footsteps of our team leaders and work to continue the tradition of our program," concluded Molyneaux.

The 'Beeters will be tested early as they begin with three conference matches, including the Fort Benton Longhorns and North Star Knights. They will also host their Annual Invitational that will include many top Class B and Class C team from the region.

Varsity/jv Schedule

Fri. Aug. 27 Big Sandy Pioneers 5:30 p.m./+20

Sat. Aug. 28 Centerville Miners 6:00 p.m./+20

Thur. Sept. 2 Havre Blue Ponies (C/JV) 5:00 p.m./+20

Fri. Sept. 3 North Star Knights 5:00 p.m./+20

Sat. Sept. 4 Chinook Tournament 8:30 a.m.

Thur. Sept. 9 Fort Benton Longhorns 4:00 p.m./+20/+20

Sat. Sept. 11 Geraldine/Highwood (Geraldine) 5:00 p.m./+20

Tues. Sept. 14 Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks 5:00 p.m./+20

Sat. Sept. 18 Box Elder Bears 5:30 p.m./+20

Thur. Sept. 23 North Star Knights (Homecoming) 6:00 p.m./+20

Sat. Sept 25 Centerville Miners 2:00 p.m./+20

Tues. Sept. 28 Big Sandy Pioneers 5:30 p.m./+20

Thurs. Sept. 30 Malta M-ettes (C/JV) 5:00 p.m./+20

Fri. Oct. 1 Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds 5:00 p.m.

Sat. Oct. 2 Fort Benton Tourney 8:30 a.m.

Chinook senior Allison Powell along with sophomore Hallie Neibauer and the rest of the Sugarbeeter squad look to contend for the District 7C crown as the season gets underway this Friday with a home contest against the Big Sandy Pioneers.

Tues. Oct. 5 Havre Blue Ponies (C/JV) 5:00 p.m./+20

Fri. Oct. 8 Fort Benton Longhorns 4:00 p.m./+20/+20

Thur. Oct. 14 Box Elder Bears 5:00 p.m./+20

Fri. Oct. 15 Geraldine/Highwood (Senior Night) 5:00 p.m./+20

Mon. Oct. 18 Malta M-Ettes (C/JV) 5:00 p.m./+20

Tues. Oct. 19 Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks 5:00 p.m./+20

Wed. Oct. 20 Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds 5:00 p.m.

Oct. 28-31 District - Chinook TBA

Nov. 4-6 Divisional - Fort Benton TBA

Nov. 11-13 State - Bozeman (MSU) TBA