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

The 2021 Montana High School Volleyball season has officially come to an end. State Champions were crowned this past Saturday in Bozeman for all four classifications and in turn means the release of post season awards.

Three Chinook Sugarbeeters and a pair of Harlem Lady Cats found their names listed on those releases. Chinook junior Bree Swanson was named to the Class C All-State team. Swanson also named to the District 7C All-Conference First Team.

Also receiving recognition for the Sugarbeeters was sophomore Hallie Neibauer, District 7C All-Conference First Team as well as senior Allison Powell, District 7C All-Conference Second Team.

The Lady Cats were represented by junior Jessica King who was named to the District 2B All-Conference First Team. Senior Chloe Messerly found herself on the District 2B All-Conference Second Team.

The Sugarbeeters put together another fine season on the volleyball court. The 'Beeters finished third in the regular season standings, third at the District 7C Tournament and played well at the Northern C Divisional before bowing out.

Their success was all around with solid play both offensively and defensively. Providing a big boost to their game plan were junior Bree Swanson, sophomore Hallie Neibauer and senior Allison Powell.

Swanson was a force all around for the 'Beeters this season. At the net with the attack or shutting down opponents with a huge block, Swanson could be counted on. Swanson recorded 134 Kills (2nd Team), led the team in Aces with 56 and Digs (185). She tied for the team lead with 27 Solo Blocks and was second in Hitting Percentage at .206. Her strong effort on the court led to her being a Class C All-State selection as well as being named to the District 7C All-Conference First Team.

Also providing a solid punch to the 'Beeter attack as well as the defense was sophomore Hallie Neibauer. Teams struggled to handle her attack throughout the season. Neibauer hit the ball consistently well, leading the team often in Kills and Hitting percentage.

Neibauer could handle the block herself, regularly leading the team in the category. Her effort from the serving line produced many Aces making her one of the most effective scorers in the District.

Neibauer led the team in Kills with 184, Hitting Percentage at .207 and tied for the team lead in Solo Blocks with 27. She was third in Digs (146) and second in Aces with 45. Neibauer's effort on the court led to a District 7C All-Conference First Team Selection.

Senior Allison Powell was as solid as it gets in her leadership roll. Powell did whatever was asked of her on the court and could be counted on to keep the teams moral up.

Powell was effective at the net with her attack as well as her blocks. Powell was third on the team with 88 Kills on the season she recorded 26 Assists and 16 Total Blocks on the season.

Every team needs solid senior leadership and Powell certainly provided that. After every point, win or lose, Powell was preparing the team for the next one.

The Harlem Lady Cat Volleyball team had a solid season and much of their success was to solid team play. To make the team successful and work together on the floor Head Coach Kim Faulkinberry could count on junior Jessica King and senior Chloe Messerly every time out.

Messerly was selected to the District 2B All-Conference first team, an award she was definitely deserving of. "Jessica King is a player that plays all the way around. She is a defensive specialist, and outside hitter and a setter," stated Faulkinberry. "This season Jessica lead the team in assists, digs, and aces. She just has a passion for the game!! She is a great leader on the floor!!"

This season King recorded 248 digs, 229 Assists and 73 Aces in leading her team. Kings Dig total, combined with her previous years, eclipsed the Harlem school record for Digs in a career, one that she will definitely add to her senior year.

Messerly was a force at the net for the Lady Cats all season long. Messerly made her presence felt offensively with a school record 190 Kills. That total eclipses the previous record set by Aspen Baker with 162. Messerly was trouble for opponents at the net defensively as well leading the team in Blocks as well.

"Senior, Chloe Messerly played middle this year. She can really hit the ball! She lead the team in kills and blocks this season and is definitely a player that we are going to miss next season," concluded Faulkinberry.

With King back next fall and the amount of experience garnered by the younger players the Lady Cats will be a tough team next fall.

2021 District 2B Volleyball Honors Teams

1st Team All-Conference

Player Grade School

Daley Aune 11 Glasgow

Tyann Graham 12 Glasgow

Sierra Hamilton 10 Wolf Point

Jessica King 11 Harlem

Skylie Lefdahl 12 Malta

Abrianna Nielsen 12 Glasgow

Blaire Westby 12 Glasgow

2nd Team All-Conference

J’elle Garfield 11 Wolf Point

Rylie Hines 11 Malta

Allison Kunze 11 Malta

Klaire Krumwiede 12 Glasgow

Kaitlyn MacDonald 11 Wolf Point

Chloe Messerly 12 Harlem

Carly Nelson 11 Glasgow

All State

Daley Aune 11 Glasgow

Skylie Lefdahl 12 Malta

Blaire Westby 12 Glasgow

District 7C All-Conference

1st Team

Player Grade School

Azzie Rowland 12 Geraldine/Highwood

Trinity Tinsen 10 Geraldine/Highwood

Bree Swanson 11 Chinook

Emerson Giese 11 Fort Benton

Tatum Hull 12 Chester/Joplin-Inverness

Hallie Neibauer 10 Chinook

Ashlee Wang 12 Fort Benton

Amiya Griffith 12 Big Sandy

Rainee Watson 11 North Star

2nd Team

Laynie Drew 11 Centerville

Allison Powell 12 Chinook

Abby Dines 12 Geraldine/Highwood

Cloe Kalanick 12 Fort Benton

Haddie Woods 11 Chester/Joplin-Inverness

Ellie Aron 11 Geraldine/Highwood

Chinook Sugarbeeter Sophomore Hallie Neibauer 1st Team All Conference District 7C

Laramie Peterson 12 North Star

Kira King 10 North Star

Averie Mattson 12 Chester/Joplin-Inverness

All State

Azzie Rowland 12 Geraldine/Highwood

Trinity Tinsen 10 Geraldine/Highwood

Bree Swanson 11 Chinook

Emerson Giese 11 Fort Benton

Tatum Hull 12 Chester/Joplin-Inverness

District 7C Coach of the Year - Dave Bahnmiller, Geraldine/Highwood