One week after their senior high counterparts stormed the hard court, junior high students from across the court wrapped up their St. Paul Athletic Association (SPAA) volleyball league play, with both Racette Raiders’ girls and boys sweeping the banners in the Nov. 21 finals.
For the fifth year in a row, the Racette boys captured the junior high SPAA banner, with Coach Tanya Hebert saying it was a great end to a “fantastic” season, which saw the team only lose one league game in the year.
“They worked hard all year; they were committed,” she said, adding the team traveled to compete against city teams in Sherwood Park and Lloydminster tournaments, capturing a silver and gold in each of those tourneys, as well as a gold at a Glen Avon-hosted tournament.
The Raider boys came in with a “bit of nerves” in each of their first games, which ended up being much closer contests than the second, said Hebert. In the final game, the Raiders took on the Two Hills Tigers, winning the first set only by a couple of points. With that pressure off, they looked more assured in the second set, taking the lead and not letting go, to win 25-13.
“It feels like the process worked,” said Grade 9 student Dustin Dubrule of four years of practicing, which paid off in back-to-back-to-back banner wins for him and fellow Grade 9 students on the team. “I think it’s well earned, the banner.”
“It feels good to go into high school with this under our belt,” added fellow Grade 9 student Austin Leroux, saying now it’s time to go through the same process again in high school.
The Racette girls would also dominate the court, although they would find themselves put up against some tough competition. Going three sets against Glen Avon in the semi-finals, and battling it out again in three sets against Ashmont in the finals.
Racette girls’ coach Rod Hebert says he was happy with how the competition went on Monday.
“I was really happy with the caliber of play. It was really nice to see some tiebreakers happening.”
It was a long day for the girls, with games often requiring three sets to determine a winner. By 7 p.m., the semi-final match between Ashmont and Mallaig was still taking place. Eventually, the Falcons took the win to claim a spot in the finals.
“It was nice to see teams fighting for that spot,” said Hebert.
The final game was yet another tough competition for both sides, with Racette coming out strong during the first set, and winning 25-16. But the Falcons battled back into the game, and took the second set 25-19.
Heading into the game, Hebert said he knew his team would have to fight for the win.
“All here put in a lot of time and effort. I’m blessed to have a lot of good team spirit and camaraderie.”
A 15-10 win in the third set game the Raiders yet another SPAA volleyball banner.
“I’m looking forward to next year,” said Hebert.