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

The Chinook Sugarbeeter Volleyball team had a solid week on the court going 2-0 in a pair of District 7C matches. Friday night in Gildford the 'Beeters bounced the North Star Knights in straight sets 25-11, 25-20, 25-21. Saturday the team headed to Centerville to take on the Miners. Chinook again earned a sweep with a 25-12, 26-24, 25-22 match win. Chinook swept the season series with both teams without dropping a set to either.

Against the Knights Friday night, junior Teagan Richman scored the first point of the night down the line to set the tone for the 'Beeters early. Senior Bree Swanson slammed home a big kill moments later to keep Chinook in front 6-5. The 'Beeters started to build their lead with Swanson picking up a block in the middle and Richman scoring another point for a 14-8 lead moments later.

Sophomore Addison Olsen served up an Ace for a 21-10 advantage. Sophomore Hannah Schoen collected a well-timed block off a North Star attack to push the Knights to the brink. Swanson ended the set with a big kill down the middle giving the 'Beeters a 25-11 opening set win.

In the second set the Knights presented much more of a challenge, forcing the Sugarbeeters to earn every point by committing fewer errors of their own. The teams were even at 6-6 and again at 11-11 when Richman scored a point with a well-placed ball. Swanson added an Ace moments later for a 13-11 Chinook advantage.

Berreth made a nice serve that the Knights couldn't completely handle, misplaying their third touch. Senior Lexi Pitkanen scored a perfectly timed block leading to Olsen picking up the final point with a little dump into an empty spot for a 25-20 set win.

The 'Beeters continued to answer every North Star challenge in the third set, stretching the lead late to 22-19 after a nice set from Berreth to Pitkanen for a point. Olsen again provided the final point, finishing off the Knight with an Ace for a 25-21 set win to complete the 3-0 sweep.

Chinook put together a balanced attack against the Knights scoring 25 Kills in the match. Neibauer accounted for six, Richman added five more of her own as did Swanson. The 'Beeters tallied 13 Aces on the night with Swanson accounting for four of them. Olsen along with junior Torin Cecrle each served up three. Berreth totaled nine Assist in the win while Olsen added seven.

Saturday in Centerville the 'Beeters came out swinging hard from the opening serve. Chinook took a quick 7-0 lead resulting in a Centerville timeout. Neibauer scored immediately and Richman added a Kill of her own two serves later for a 9-1 advantage.

Neibauer made a perfect pass to Olsen for a quick tip to keep the offense rolling. Swanson scored another point on a well placed tip to put Chinook on top 20-9. Sophomore Rilee Molyneaux hammered down a Kill to secure a 25-11 opening set win for the 'Beeters.

Much like their match the previous night with North Star, the 'Beeters would get a much stiffer test in sets number two and three. Molyneaux connected with a big swing straight down the line for an 18-17 advantage. Olsen served an Ace to push the lead to three, 22-19.

Centerville mounted a rally to bring the set back to even at 22-22. Swanson just found the corner for a huge point and finished the set with an Ace of her own to give the 'Beeters a 26-24 set win.

Looking to close out the Miners, the 'Beeters were hoping to get off to a better start but found themselves down early 3-0. Swanson again scored off a nice set from Olsen to even the score at 13-13. Neibauer scored a pair of Kills and junior Libero Torin Cecrle followed with an Ace for an 18-15 Chinook advantage.

Molyneaux made a nice save to get the ball over to the net that Centerville couldn't control. Swanson finished the set with a block at the neat and another Ace for a 25-22 set win to complete the sweep.

The 'Beeter attack was led by Neibauer with 12 Kills, Swanson added nine and the team totaled 33 in the match. Swanson also served up four of the teams 16 Aces to go along with seven digs and a pair of Blocks. Molyneaux led the defense with nine digs. Berreth accounted for 17 of Chinooks 28 Assists.

Senior Bree Swanson slams home one of the 'Beeters 25 Kills on the night.

"We had a good weekend. All levels C/JV/V won all matches," said Chinook Head Coach, Paula Molyneaux. "I am very pleased with our improvements and progress on all levels. We have a big week ahead. Two conference matches versus Hays/Lodge Pole and Big Sandy. Since we suffered a loss early in the season to Big Sandy, we definitely have a goal to play our best to give ourselves the best shot of beating them. In addition, it is Senior night."

The 'Beeters hosted the Thunderbirds on Tuesday, and we will have full results in Next week's Blaine County Journal. Chinook will honor their seniors prior to the start of the Varsity match Thursday night against the Pioneers.

The 'Beeters will get a chance to test themselves to conclude the week, "On Saturday we play at the Fort Benton mid-season tournament against Simms, Fort Benton, Roy/Winifred and White Sulfur Springs. This tournament is both Junior Varsity and Varsity. It will be fun to play some different teams and also a challenge as there is some stiff competition," concluded Molyneaux.