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

The Chinook Sugarbeeters were at home for the last time this season as they welcomed the Choteau Bulldogs to town. The Bulldogs proved to be to much on this afternoon winning the match in straight sets. Saturday the 'Beeters traveled west to take on District 1B foe Shelby for an afternoon clash. The Coyotes had all the answers to the 'Beeter attack winning the match in straight sets.

Friday afternoon against the Bulldogs the 'Beeters were hoping for a fast start. An ace from junior Rilee Molyneaux and a kill from senior Hallie Neibauer had the 'Beeters in front 6-5. The Bulldogs rallied to take the lead 14-8, a kill from Neibauer cut the lead to 14-9. Neibauer, senior Teagan Richman and Hannah Schoen all got kills down the stretch, but it wasn't enough as Choteau took the opening set 25-15.

Set number two is one the 'Beeters would like to soon forget as the Bulldogs stormed to a 25-9 set win to go up 2-0 in the match. The 'Beeters came to play in set number three. Choteau jumped out to a 4-0 lead early, junior Ashlyn Jensen slammed home a kill and Neibauer found the corner to cut the lead to 5-2. Neibauer slammed a kill straight down and added another moments later to cut the Bulldog lead to 9-6. A block from Jensen and a kill from junior Rilee Molyneaux brought the 'Beeters within one, 12-11.

Coming out of a 'Beeter timeout, trailing 18-15, a kill from Richman, a tip from Neibauer and a big swig from Neibauer pulled the 'Beeters even, 18-18. A pair of kills from Neibauer and a tip from Schoen gave the 'Beeters a 22-21 lead. Chinook would lead 23-22 and 25-24 following a block from Neibauer. The ball bounced the Bulldogs way late, leading to a 28-26 third set win and a sweep of the 'Beeters. Neibauer led the 'Beeter attack with 12 kills, junior Alexus Seymour led the team with 13 digs while junior Addison Olsen had 12. Molyneaux led the team with four blocks and Olsen set the hitters up with 13 assists.

Saturday in Shelby the Coyotes jumped out to leads of 12-3 and 15-6 in the first set. A block from Neibauer, a kill from Neibauer and another block cut the Coyote lead to 19-16. A kill from Liddle and a tip from Olsen cut the lead to 21-19. Molyneaux and Jensen each slammed home kills but in the end, it was the Coyotes winning the first set 25-23.

In set number two, Jensen found an opening for a 3-2 lead before the Coyotes took a 13-7 lead. Molyneaux slammed home a kill. Neibauer recorded a block and Richman connected for another point bringing Chinook to within three at 13-10. The 'Beeters would call time out after Shelby surged to a 17-12 lead. The Coyotes would take the second set 25-15.

Senior Jenna Liddle gets a Kill from the outside.

In the third set, a pair of aces from Molyneaux gave Chinook a 4-2 lead. A kill from Neibauer and an ace from Olsen extended the lead to 7-3. The Coyotes stormed back to lead 17-13 resulting in a Sugarbeeter timeout. Kills from Schoen and Neibauer brought Chinook within two. 18-16. Olsen served up an ace and Richman scored again and suddenly the 'Beeters were back in front 19-18 A kill from Schoen gave Chinook a 22-21 lead. From that point on the Coyotes would score four straight to win the set 25-22 and the match 3-0.

The 'Beeters were led once again by Neibauer with 11 kills. Molyneaux served up three aces and Olsen dug up 11 balls for the 'Beeters. Neibauer recorded three blocks and senior Mya Berreth led the team with 10 assists on the night. The 'Beeters will close out the regular season, today, October 18 in Whitewater as they take on the North Country Mavericks. The team will then prepare for the District 1B Tournament in Fairfield October 26-28. The top four teams will advance to the Northern B divisional in Malta the following week, November 2-4.