The Chinook Sugarbeeters were at it again on the court serving up fans with another successful week. Friday night the Sugarbeeters headed to Gildford to take on the rival North Star Knights in a big early season District 7C Conference clash. The Sugarbeeters started fast, winning the first two sets before holding on to claim a 3-2 win in a five set thriller.

Saturday, the girls were back home in the friendly confines of the Floyd Bowen Gymnasium as they hosted the Annual Chinook Invitational Volleyball Tournament. The tournament featured Pool play in the morning and a single elimination tournament in the afternoon. Teams included the Glasgow Scotties, Roy/Winifred Outlaws, Cut Bank Wolves, Valier Panthers, Geraldine/Highwood Rivals, Malta M-ettes and Shelby Coyotes.

The 'Beeters were looking to remain undefeated in District 7C play Friday night when they faced the North Start Knights in Gildford. These two teams are regularly fighting it out for the top spot in the district, so this early season match was of huge significance.

Chinook took control of the match early on winning the first two sets. In the opener sophomore Hallie Neibauer made a nice little dump shot for an 8-3 lead. Later Neibauer laced one down the middle to put the 'Beeters up 19-13. Sophomore Teagan Richman followed with a kill of her own moments later for a 23-14 'Beeter advantage en route to a 25-19 first set win.

In set number two, sophomore Britton Elliot served up back-to-back Aces for 12-5 'Beeter lead early on. The Knights battled back to within one at 13-12 but the 'Beeters had an answer. Junior Bree Swans slammed home a pair of Kills, Elliot scored one in the back corner and Neibauer slammed home another for a 24-20 advantage. The 'Beeters closed out the second set with a 25-20 win.

The Knights battled back in set number three, taking leads of 14-10 and 23-15. Senior Shay Hauer served an Ace to bring the 'Beeters back to 23-18 but it was to little to late in a 25-29 third set loss. In set number four the Knights again controlled the match early on, but the 'Beeters were able to draw even tying the score at 10-10, 18-18 and 22-22 before the Knight evened the match with a 26-24 fourth set win.

In the fifth and deciding set it was the Sugarbeeters responding in a big way. A little tip by Swanson gave the 'Beeters a early 6-3 advantage and they never looked back. Neibauer slammed home a kill to make it 11-6. Moments later Swanson striped one down the middle for a 13-8 advantage and then sophomore Teagan Richman closed out the match with a pair of Aces for the 15-8 fifth set win to give the 'Beeters the match 3-2.

Swanson had a huge effort for the 'Beeters slamming home 12 of the teams 42 Kills while also serving up a team high nine Aces and recording a team high eight blocks. Hauer dug up 10 balls and senior Tylie Richman set the hitters up with 16 Assists.

Saturday at the Chinook Invitational the 'Beeters found themselves in Pool A with the Glasgow Scotties, Roy/Winifred Outlaws and Cut Bank Wolves.

The 'Beeters played well throughout the day and began it early in the morning with an 8:30 a.m. start against the Glasgow Scotties. The 'Beeters won their first match over the Scotties and then took on the Roy/Winifred Outlaws.

After dropping the first set with Outlaws the 'Beeters were tied when time ran out in the second set. Chinook finished pool play with a win over the Cut Bank Wolves.

In first round tournament action the 'Beeters took on the Malta M-ettes. In a tightly contested contest the 'Beeters had the final say as they pulled away at the end for a 25-20 set win. The second set was mirror image of the first with Chinook again earning a 25-20 win to sweep the M-ettes 2-0. In the tournament semifinal the 'Beeters faced the Shelby Coyotes. Chinook had lead for the first half of both set number one and set number two, but each time the Coyotes finished strong to eliminate the 'Beeters 2-0.

Sophomore Hallie Neibauer attacks the Shelby defense in semifinal action against the Coyotes.

Chinook will host the Fort Benton Longhorns on Thursday night in yet another huge early season District 7C match. Saturday the 'Beeters will head to Geraldine to take on the Geraldine/Highwood Rivals. Tuesday, September 14 they will head to Chester to take on the Hawks.