Bonnyville schools swept the district volleyball championships in Plamondon this past weekend, with the H.E. Bourgoin School Bears capturing the girls district title, while the École des Beaux-Lacs Attaque took home the boys championship.
The Bears opened the tournament by winning both its round robin games to finish first in the pool and then went on to defeat École Beauséjour in two straight sets in the semifinal to set up an all-Bonnyville final against the rival girls team from Beaux-Lacs.
Beaux-Lacs and the Bears finished first and second at ward championships and both coaches were hoping to meet again in the district final.
The Bears jumped out to an early lead, carrying the momentum from the semis into the finals and taking the first set 25-17.
The second set was “epic” said Bears head coach Scott Cameron.
Beaux-Lacs got out to a big lead, going up 18-7, but the Bears responded with a remarkable 13-2 run to make it 20-20.
Beaux-Lacs was not fazed, coming back with four straight points of its own, to take a 24-20 lead and setting up set point.
Beaux-Lacs missed its next serve, giving the Bears the ball back and setting up a memorable finish.
“The score was now at 24-21, and what ensued was five epic rallies with incredible defence and hustle on both sides,” said Cameron.
The Bears took each point and took the set 26-24, winning the match and the district championship.
“The win was incredibly rewarding for us,” said Cameron. “As a team with no Grade 9 players (eight Grade 8 players, two Grade 7 players), the odds were stacked against us. We finally managed to piece four good games together in a row, allowing the girls to see their full potential. It was a storybook ending for the Grade 8 players to finish their middle school careers.”
On the boys side it was Beaux-Lacs running the table, winning both its round robin games and defeating Cold Lake Middle School in the semifinal to set up a final against École Beauséjour – the two teams pegged as favourites to win districts.
Beaux-Lacs won the first set, and then lost the second, setting up and third and deciding set for the title.
Beaux-Lacs took the set 15-10, winning its first district title for the school.
“I am very proud of the boys, we had a great year, finishing first in our ward, first at our home tournament and also second at the Glendon tournament,” said Beaux-Lacs coach Richard Fortin.
“The volleyball team is very young at our school, but the future looks very good.”
