Big weekend of prep volleyball on the HI-Line

Last weekend, the high school sports season started, but it was a bit quiet. Now though, it's September and things won't be quiet any longer.

While high school football and volleyball are now in full swing, the volleyball action will really be fast and furious this weekend on the Hi-Line. In Chinook, the Chinook Invitational takes place today and Saturday, while the North Star Showcase will be held at the same time in Rudyard and Gildford.

Both volleyball tournaments feature plenty of local talent, and plenty of good teams from around the area.

The North Star Showcase is divided into two pools on the first day. The Rudyard Pool is composed of Big Sandy, Hays-Lodge Pole, Power, Dutton-Brady and the North Star junior varsity team. The Gildford pool is made up of North Star, Box Elder, Roy-Winifred, Sunburst and Heart Butte. In both pools, each team will get four matches today and Saturday morning, while teams will move into bracket play Saturday afternoon. The championship bracket will be played in Rudyard, with the consolation bracket being played in Gildford.

Meanwhile the Chinook Invitational also gets underway today with two pools. In Pool A, Chinook, Glasgow, Shelby, Valier and Highwood will compete against each other, while in Pool B, Chester/J-I, Malta, Conrad, Simms and Cut Bank will go head-to-head.

Saturday, there will be a championship bracket and a consolation bracket, so after pool play, all teams in attendance will be guaranteed at least two more matches. Pool play starts in Chinook this morning and runs through 4 p.m. The championship match of the Chinook Invitational is schedule for 4 p.m. Saturday.