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

Chinook Sugarbeeter Volleyball team was back in Bozeman this past weekend competing in the Montana Class C State Volleyball Tournament. The 'Beeters were in the field for the first time since 2016 and turned in a terrific effort, finishing fourth in the tournament. The All-Class State Volleyball Tournament was played in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on the campus of Montana State University.

The Sugarbeeters began the tournament Thursday morning in the first match of the day and took down the Eastern No. 1 Seed Circle Wildcats three sets to one. Thursday night in the quarterfinals The Sugarbeeters squared off against the No. 1 Seed from the South, the Bridger Scouts. Chinook turned in a valiant effort, but the Scouts caught fire in set number three and battled back to hand the 'Beeters a tough 3-2 loss.

Friday afternoon Chinook found themselves on the court with a familiar opponent in the Belt Huskies in a win or go home match. The 'Beeters and the Huskies were playing each other for the third time in just eight days. The 'Beeters again found themselves in another five-set thriller, this time however they took down the Huskies 3-2 for the first time in the three matches with their Northern C opponent.

Late Friday night Chinook took on the North Country Mavericks (Saco/Whitewater/Hinsdale with the winner moving on and the loser finishing in 4th place. The 'Beeters and Mavericks were about as evenly matched as two teams could be, but down the stretch it was North Country that was able to gain some separation and earn a 3-1 victory over the Sugarbeeters ending their season.

Chinook Vs. Circle - First Round

The 'Beeters and Wildcats both entered the tournament with high expectations, and both proved they deserved to be playing on the big stage. Junior Hallie Neibauer scored the first point of the state tournament with a well-placed ball in the back corner. Moments later sophomore Rilee Molyneaux gave the 'Beeters a 7-3 lead with a lob just over the top of the double block from the Wildcats.

The 'Beeters kept the pressure on throughout the set, junior Teagan Richman slammed home a corner Kill for an 18-5 'Beeter advantage later in the opening set. Neibauer came up big at the net with a perfectly timed block. Senior Bree Swanson a 23-17 lead, converting a nice set from junior Mya Berreth into a point. Chinook took the opening set 25-17 after Neibauer and senior Lexi Pitkanen combined on a block to score the final point.

Circle bounced back in set number two using an early 7-2 to provide them with enough cushion to absorb a 'Beeter comeback. Chinook rallied to even the set at 11-11 but after a timeout by the Wildcats they again took control and won set number two 25-20 to even the match at 1-1.

Chinook rallied in the third set after a ball from senior Bell Elliot tied the score at 8-8. Neibauer later slammed home a Kill to give the 'Beeters a 13-12 lead. Swanson served up an Ace late in the set to keep things even at 19-19 and Richman gave Chinook a 23-22 when her attack couldn't be controlled by the Wildcats in three touches. Neibauer then placed a ball perfectly behind the Circle defense and finished off a 26-24 third set win with a stuff block at the net.

Looking to close out the Wildcats and advance with a fourth set win was all the 'Beeters were focused on late in the match. Circle scored the opening point of the set but after that it was all Chinook. Molyneaux slammed a Kill down the line, Cecrle added an Ace from the serving line and another stuff block from Neibauer had Chinook in complete control with a 15-3 lead. Circle mounted a mini comeback but in the end they never really closed the gap. Chinook took the fourth set 25-14 to win the match 3-1 and advance to the quarterfinal.

The 'Beeters were led in the win by Neibauer with nine of the teams 30 Kills, Swanson added seven in the 'Beeter win. Berreth set the hitters up with 16 Assists, sophomore Addison Olsen contributed 10. Senior Torin Cecrle dug up a team high 14 balls for to start the 'Beeter attack. Neibauer picked up six blocks while senior Lexi Pitkanen added five more of her own.

Chinook Vs. Bridger - Quarterfinal

Chinook and Bridger were both flying high after picking up big wins earlier in the day and both were in for a test in hopes of advancing to Friday nights undefeated semi-final. Chinook came out on fire to start the match with the Bridger Scouts. Cecrle scored with an Ace, Neibauer just catches the line with her attack and the offense was rolling early on, winning the first set 25-18.

Chinook maintained their edge in set number two, but the Scouts had an answer for nearly every run the 'Beeters went on. The Scouts took leads of 10-6, 14-10 and 19-16 but the 'Beeters responded just as they have so many times this season and fought back. Neibauer gently placed a ball just over the Bridger block for a 21-20 lead and later evened the score at 25-25. The tension was immense as both teams responded when needed. Swanson slammed home a point for a 30-29 edge and Richman came through on the following serve with a big Kill to secure a 31-29 win for the 'Beeters to go up 2-0 in the match.

Chinook was on the verge of punching their ticket to the undefeated semi-final when the Scouts suddenly found their way. Bridger stormed back, taking set number three 25-20 and set number four 25-18 to force a fifth set. With all the momentum now on the Scouts side of the court the 'Beeters were defeated in set number five 15-10, giving the scouts the 3-2 win.

The 'Beeters were led in the contest by Neibauer with 19 Kills, Swanson slammed home 12 in Molyneaux hammered down 10. Berreth was outstanding leading the team with 30 Assists while Olsen set up 11 Kills. Swanson was huge for the 'Beeters in the back row with 29 Digs, Cecrle dug up 22 balls in the match. Neibauer added eight blocks to her tournament total blocks while Elliot collected four.

Chinook Vs. Belt - Loser Out

Facing the same team three times isn't exactly uncommon for two teams to do in a short stretch during the post season, especially if both teams play consecutive tournaments together as the Sugarbeeters and Huskies did. Belt topped the 'Beeters twice at the Northern C just eight days earlier, but the 'Beeters would turn the tables on the Huskies Friday afternoon at the state tournament.

Chinook was ready to play right from the opening serve bringing a well-executed attack to the court to open a 7-5 lead early. Molyneaux was adept all tournament long at finding the back corner and her Kill in the first set put Chinook on top 9-7. The lead changed hands multiple times down the stretch with both teams being able to string together runs of two to three points at a time. Berreth set Swanson perfectly for an attack that just found the back line. Molyneaux immediately followed with a huge swing of her own and a hitting error from the Huskies had things all square at 21-21. The Huskies however rallied and took the first set 26-24.

Chinook bounced right back in set number two. Swanson made a nice one-handed block to give Chinook a 10-8 lead. Belt would even the score at 10-10, 12-12 and 16-16 but a set from Richman to Swanson put Chinook on top 18-16. Belt again rallied to even the set at 22-22. Berreth perfectly faked out the Belt block with a set she pushed over the net for an easy point. Neibauer delivered an Ace on the next serve and the Huskies ended the set when their attack went long to give Chinook a 25-22 set win, evening the match at 1-1.

The third set was controlled by the 'Beeters start to finish. Chinook jumped out to a 8-4 lead and although Belt managed to narrow the gap at different points, the 'Beeters were firmly in control. An Ace from Molyneaux and back-to-back blocks from Neibauer out Chinook up 19-13 as they cruised down the stretch for a 25-16 set win to go up 2-1 in the match,

Belt returned the favour in the fourth set securing an identical 25-16 set win to force a deciding fifth set to be played. Chinook took control early on and never looked back. A big-time block from Neibauer and a missile from Swanson 10-4. Swanson ended the match moments later with a block to secure a 15-4 fifth set win to earn a 3-2 win over the Husky's and advance.

Chinook was again led offensively by Neibauer with 19 Kills, Molyneaux had 12 Kills coming at huge moments in the match. Swanson added another nine to the 'Beeter attack. Berreth again set the hitters up with 30 of the teams 45 Assists. Cecrle led the back row with 24 digs in the win, Swanson added 18 to the team total of 89 Digs in the match. Neibauer recorded three blocks at the net for the 'Beeters.

Chinook Vs. North Country - 4th Place Match

The Sugarbeeters and the Mavericks played late Friday night with first serve taking place shortly after eight pm. Chinook and the Mavericks matched each other point for point early on but soon enough the Mavericks began to string points together, taking a 19-13 lead.

The Mavericks closed out the 'Beeters in set number won with a 25-19 win. Chinook bounced right back in set number two taking a 8-6 lead following a Swanson attack. Chinook pushed the lead to 14-10 with a well placed push from Molyneaux. The 'Beeter controlled the tempo throughout the second set but when the Mavericks made a little run the 'Beeters settled things with a timeout.

Coming out of the time out Chinook got a perfect set from Olsen to Swanson for a point and blocks from Elliot and Pitkanen gave the 'Beeters a 25-21 set win to even the natch at 1-1. The third set was a well-played back and forth match that saw the 'Beeters leave everything they had on the court. The Mavericks got the last point to fall their way in a gruelling 31-29 third set North Country win.

Chinook didn't back down from the challenge and once again left everything in the tank on the court. North Country took a 13-6 lead early and despite a tremendous comeback effort down the stretch the 'Beeters just fell short of completing the rally, falling 25-22 to the Mavericks and the match 3-1.

Neibauer paced the 'Beeter attack with 17 Kills, Richman followed with 11 Kills while Swanson slammed home 10 and Molyneaux nine. Berreth set the hitters up with 24 Assists and Olsen dished out 13 in the match. Neibauer led the back row with 22 digs while also recording four blocks in the contest for the 'Beeters.

Looking Back

Head Coach Paula Molyneaux couldn't have been prouder of her teams accomplishments this fall, "This has been an incredible season. To be able to end it at a state tournament is not only a goal, but also a dream. I really enjoyed working with this group, they were willing to work hard, they bought into the program philosophy and believed in their team potential."

Molyneaux appreciated their effort every time they stepped on the court, "They continually built on their success day by day. As a coach it is a goal to find a plan that helps your team peak at the end of the season. This team did exactly that. They earned their way by entering the District 7C Tournament as a two seed, but emerged as the 7C champion. Next, at the Northern C Divisional, they continued to improve their game with a 2nd place finish which punched our ticket to state.

Being able to conclude the season in Bozeman was icing on the cake, "At the state tourney, I was very proud of them because not only did they earn their way there, but they also proved that they belonged at the state level as one of the top four Class C teams in the state. They definitely played their best volleyball of the season against some very tough teams. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with them and am very proud of the team and all that we accomplished together," said Molyneaux afterword's.

The journey to the state tournament for any team, especially in small towns includes so many people outside of the locker room and Molyneaux is extremely appreciative of each and every one of them, "I have always been grateful and amazed by the strong show of support by our community for Beeter Volleyball. The fan base is often larger than our opponents when we are on the road and our home crowds are always large, loud and fun."

Throughout the season the 'Beeters got so many opportunities to celebrate a big point, but at the Class C State Tournament the energy and the smiles were definitely bigger.

Molyneaux is proud of the support she gets hosting home matches, "In addition, as I travel to other schools, they are always complaining about how they are short help, but in our gym we are always supported by a strong crew that willingly help our program year in and year out including Kathy O'Brien, Jay Eslick, Laura Kellam, Tracy Anderson, Krista Sohn, Tawna Richman, Jami Britt, Kelsie Harwood, Doug Hayes, Makhayla Farmer, Shay Hauer and Cameron Huestis and these are just the ones from this last season. Over the years there have been many, many others.

Molyneaux concluded by saying, "I enjoy coaching for many reasons, the student/athletes, the game and of course the outstanding community of Chinook. Finally, I also need to recognize my assistant Tess Langford, her contributions to this program are very valuable. Her game knowledge is top notch as is her positive influence on our student athletes. Thank you to everyone who made this season successful and enjoyable."