Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Megan Molyneaux, Chinook Volleyball

The Chinook Sugarbeeters have dominated the District 6C East in volleyball for a number of years and, after relinquishing their crown last season, the Beeters reclaimed it this past weekend, knocking off North Star in the championship match of the district tournament.

The victory didn't come easy as the Beeters had to beat North Star in the second of two matches to take the crown, but now the Beeters have a bigger task at hand and that's advancing out of the Northern C Divisional Tournament in Belt Starting Thursday.

"We are really excited," Chinook's Megan Molyneaux said. "It's just exciting for us to be able to keep playing."

If you are familiar at all with Chinook sports, then the name Molyneaux should ring a bell. Megan's mom, Paula Molyneaux, is currently the head track coach in Chinook and her dad, Matt Molyneaux, coached the Beeters football team to an 8-Man state championship back in 2010. He also was a legendary player in his own right along with his sons, Tyler and Zach Molyneaux, who were each members of that 2010 championship team.

Now, it's Megan's turn to have the spotlight as the next great Molyneaux athlete and, so far, the three-sport standout has not disappointed. For the past four years, Molyneaux has competed in volleyball, basketball, and track for the Beeters and in the process, she has made a name for herself. Not only is she a returning All-Conference performer in volleyball, earning Second-Team honors in 2017, but she's also placed at state track multiple times, including a second-place finish in the 200-meter dash in 2017 and a third-place finish in the same event last spring.

Right now, though, her focus is on volleyball and last week at the district tournament, she proved how valuable she can be for the Beeters. In fact, when it comes to defense, she might be the top defender on the team and certainly one of the best in the District 6C East. In the two championship matches against North Star, Molyneaux finished with 43 total digs.

With Molyneaux, Kourtney Hanson, Ginger Hauer, Delaney Kellam and Rachel Gunderson, among others, the Beeters should have a solid chance at advancing to the Class C state tournament. That is if Chinook can advance past the always difficult Northern C Divisional. Chinook, Belt and Simms are the top seeds, but other teams like Fort Benton, North Star, Box Elder, Dutton-Brady and Power are all gunning for one of the two spots available at the state tournament, which will be in Bozeman Nov. 8-10.

It's been a few years since the Beeters made it to state and that's something Molyneaux and her teammates are hoping to change this weekend. Before they make the trip to Belt for their opening match Thursday against Fort Benton, the Havre Daily News caught up with Megan Molyneaux for five questions.

HDN: How did it feel for you guys to come back and win the district this year?

Molyneaux: "It felt really good to come back and win it this year. We have all put a lot of work in and it was really fun to get that outcome."

HDN: What would it mean to you and your team if you guys could get back to the state tournament?

Molyneaux: "It would be really cool if we could get back to state because it has been a few years and that would really be a lot of fun."

HDN: What has driven you to be so involved with sports?

Molyneaux: "I just really like being involved in sports. I just like playing and competing."

HDN: Which sport is your favorite?

Molyneaux: "Volleyball is probably my favorite. I really like the sport and it is probably the most fun for me."

HDN: So what you have enjoyed the most about being an athlete for the Sugarbeeters?

Molyneaux: "I have made a lot of great memories with my teammates and that has been a lot of fun over the years."