Chinook, Chester lose opening matches

The Chinook Sugarbeeters and the Chester Coyotes both took a detour on the road to a title Thursday at their respective state volleyball tournaments, losing opening-round matches.

For Chinook it was the two-time defending state champion Roundup Panthers who forced the Beeters to the loser's bracket. Roundup defeated Chinook in three games, 15-4, 16-14, 15-12.

Chinook will face Malta today in loser-out action. Malta lost to Troy in the opening round 15-10, 15-6, 15-1.

In other tournament action from the Class B state tournament in Missoula, Choteau defeated Townsend and Huntley Project defeated Frenchtown in first-round matches. In second-round matches, Roundup defeated Troy and Huntley Project defeated Choteau. Both second-round matches went to five games.

At the Class C tournament in Lewistown, Manhattan Christian forced Chester to fight its way through the loser's bracket if the Coyotes want any chance at a state title.

The Eagles took four games to beat Chester, winning 15-13, 15-11, 12-15, 15-7. Chester will face Jordan in loser-out action today.

In the other first-round matches, Richey defeated Sunburst, Twin Bridges defeated Bridger and Harlowton defeated Jordan. All three of the other first-round matches went three games. In second-round action in Lewistown, Richey defeated Twin Bridges in five games, and Harlowton defeated Manhattan Christian in four games.