The Sugarbeeter volleyball team suffered just one loss enroute to first place in its own tournament Saturday in Chinook.

Chinook opened the tournament on Court 1 with a win over Glasgow.

In its second game an hour later, the Beeters fell behind the Outlaws of Roy-Winifred 1-12 before staging a strong comeback to lose by just seven points, 18-25. The big difference came early in the game as 6-foot 4-inch senior and Class C all-stater Isabelle Heggem dominated play at the net with several kills.

Chinook squad of Coach Paula Molyneaux stayed focused on their their training and rebounded from that loss to down Valier and Cut Bank to finish second in Bracket A of pool play.

Chinook’s first opponent in the two-set single-elimination round for the championship against the Conrad Cowboys, the No. 3 team from Bracket B. The ‘Beeters downed Conrad 25-15 in the first set and fell 22-25 to win the match due to its wider winning margin.

The ‘Beeters then downed the Bracket B-winning Shelby Coyotes in straight sets 25-20 and 25-21.

The championship match pitted Chinook against B bracket runner-up North Country Mavericks, Class C powerhouse.

The team comprising the co-op schools of Saco, Whitewater and Hinsdale included an intimidating quintet of spikers including one at 6-2, one at 6-0, and three at 5-11.

Despite their lack of stature, the ‘Beeters stood tall at the net and blocked several of the taller Mavericks’ spike attempts.

Chinook opened up an immediate 5-1 lead to start the first set. The well-disciplined squad went on to build an impressive 20-9 lead before the Mavericks crept closer before falling 25-21 to Chinook.

Chinook maintained a steady lead in the second match as well, go up by as many as six points, 18-12. That set ended in another 25-21 win for the ‘Beeters.

The wins were a team effort throughout the day with several fine plays by the entire squad: Teagan Richman, Mya Berreth, Brooke Fetter, Alexus Seymour, Addison Olsen, Rilee Molyneaux, Ashlyn Jensen, Hallie Neibauer, Jenna Liddle, Gracie Skoyen, Hannah Schoen and Sami Malsam.

This Friday, the Sugarbeets will host Shelby beginning at 4:15 p.m.

On Saturday, they’ll head to Choteau for a duel slated to begin at 4:15 p.m.