ST. PAUL – It was an intense day of competition for junior high volleyball teams on Nov. 19, as they gathered in St. Paul for the annual boys’ and girls’ St. Paul Athletic Association (SPAA) junior high volleyball championships.
When the dust settled, F.G. Miller and Racette Junior High remained to compete in the boys’ finals. Ultimately, it was the team from Racette that claimed the championship banner in a tight game against F.G. Miller, defending their title from last year.
On the girls’ side, Glen Avon once again made it to the finals. Glen Avon was also the 2022 SPAA junior girls’ volleyball champions. This year, it was F.G. Miller who challenged them for the title.
In the end, Glen Avon won the banner, and remained the reigning champions on the girls’ side.
Cody Chemilnisky, SPAA commissioner from Ashmont School, who helped organize the event, said that overall, it was a good day on the court.
“It was a lot of really good volleyball back and forth. Everybody was putting their heart out, and emotions were high,” he said.
Chemilnisky also nodded to the sportsmanship displayed by all teams throughout the tournament.
“There was a lot of cheering... good laughter sometimes when something happened,” he said. And “very good sportsmanship all around from everybody.”
He also thanked the athletes who dedicated themselves to the volleyball season. They played hard and did their best, “as well as all the spectators that came to support” the teams.
Chemilnisky also thanked the host schools, St. Paul Regional High School, Glen Avon School, and Racette Junior High, for offering their schools as venues.
He then thanked all the coaches, the referees, the volunteers, and all those involved with running the tournament. It takes everyone’s effort to keep the league alive and keep the sport of volleyball thriving in the region, said Chemilnisky.
“This will help continue that legacy.”