Host Sugarbeeters win District 2B title; advance to divisionals

The Chinook Sugarbeeters went into last weekend's District 2B volleyball tournament with one goal to win a trophy.

The Sugarbeeters did that, and they also did more.

With a win over previously undefeated Malta in three games, 15-9, 16-14, 15-8, the Sugarbeeters won the district title on their home court, taking away the first-place trophy.

"The kids put together a real nice weekend. It was exciting," Chinook coach Paula Molyneaux said. "It's always fun to play at home and then to win at home kind of topped it off."

The Sugarbeeters will have a chance to defend that title this weekend in the divisional tournament, which also will be in Chinook.

"We need to step into this weekend just like we did last weekend," Molyneaux said. "We are going to go after a trophy again so we can go to state. In order to do that, we need to play our best."

Molyneaux said her team has a few things to improve upon for next weekend.

"You can never be perfect," she said. "You can always strive to be better."

Susie Thackeray had 15 kills in the championship game. Kelsie Whitney had 36 of the team's 41 assists and led with 22 digs. Tess Schuhmacher and Savannah Wendland each had three aces on the game.

"It was a nice team effort," Molyneaux said. "Everybody did their job and more."

Molyneaux said her team took control early in the first game and set the tone. The second game was fairly even, Molyneaux said. While Malta came out tight in the third game, Chinook remained relaxed.

"We knew we had to play at our best," Molyneaux said. "Malta's a good squad, too. You can't take anything away from them. When they play their best, they're tough."

Most of the Sugarbeeters have played in a divisional tournament before, so experience is working in Chinook's favor.

Chinook's first game is Thursday afternoon at 2 against Cut Bank, the No. 4 team from District 1B. Chinook faced Cut Bank the first weekend of the season and won in four games. Molyneaux said that even though her team defeated Cut Bank, it was very early in the season and both teams have improved since then. The top three teams from the divisional tournament advance to the state tournament next weekend in Missoula.