'Beeters Roll Past Big Sandy, Centerville with Identical 3-0 Sweeps to start the Season

The 2021 High School Volleyball season is finally underway. After weeks of practice, running, doing drills and playing each other, teams across the state finally had the opportunity to compete.

The Chinook Sugarbeeter Volleyball began the 2021 campaign with a pair of District 7C Conference matches. Friday night they were at home and welcomed the Big Sandy Pioneers to town. The 'Beeters started fast and cruised to a season opening 25-8, 26-24, 25-15 three set sweep. Saturday the girls headed west for their first road contest of the season in Centerville. Chinook again turned in a dominate performance, earning another three set sweep taking down the Miners 25-17, 25-23, 25-19.

The 2-0 start to the season is exactly what the 'Beeters were looking to do week one and to have both be conference wins makes it all the better.

Friday night, the Big Sandy Pioneers came to town set to tip off the 2021 Volleyball season with the Chinook Sugarbeeters. The Sugarbeeters were bound and determined to get the season started on the right foot. Chinook doesn't return a lot of experience but the program built by Head Coach Paula Molyneaux has proven to reload quickly.

Set one was an overwhelming one for the Chinook Sugarbeeters as they stormed out to an early lead and never looked back. The 'Beeter attack combined for 10 Kills in the opening set on just 24 attacks while committing just two errors for a .347 hitting percentage. In the end it was Chinook cruising to a 25-8 set win.

Set number two however was a much different story as the Pioneers showed improvement while at the same time the 'Beeter attack showed some holes. The 'Beeters did manage 12 Kills in the set, but committed 11 hitting errors in the process handing the Pioneers a number of free points. At its conclusion it was the 'Beeters holding on for a 26-24 set win to go up 2-0 in the match.

Looking to close out Big Sandy in straight sets the 'Beeter attack responded with a better attack, slamming home 10 kills while reducing their hitting errors to six. The effort showed on the scoreboard as they picked up a 25-15 third set win to complete the sweep.

Sophomore Hallie Neibauer led the attack for the 'Beeters slamming home 11 Kills in the season opener. Sophomore Britton Elliot added six Kills of her own in the win. Senior Tylie Richman served up nine assists and junior Bree Swanson scored six Aces for the 'Beeters.

Saturday in Centerville the 'Beeters were looking to build on the fast start and they did just that earning a 3-0 sweep of the Miners. The 'Beeters had plenty of attacks but found it a bit more difficult to find open spaces against the Miners.

Set number one saw the 'Beeters slowly build on a lead before earning a comfortable 25-17 first set win. The 'Beeters scored seven kills and did a great job defensively to earn the win. Set number two was a bit more one sided with the 'Beeters getting an early lead and then building on it, securing a 25-13 second set win.

Again looking or the match sweep, the 'Beeters were on their A-game. The 'Beeter slammed home six kills in the set and maintained a secure lead over the Miners before closing them out with a 25-19 third set win.

Neibauer again led the attack with six Kills on the night. Elliot added five more and senior Allison Powell four. Richman led the team with nine assists while Swanson dug up 16 balls for the defense.

Head Coach Paula Molyneaux was happy with her teams effort week one, "We had a good start. I was pleased with the effort of the team and the way that they are working to execute the skills and team concepts that we are working on in practice."

The Sugarbeeters will return to the court this Friday when they head to Gildford to take on the North Star Nights in a huge District 7C early season battle. Saturday the girls will be back home playing for the hometown crowd when they host their Annual Chinook Invitational Tournament.