The St. Paul 3A girls volleyball team won third in the black division in round robin play and advanced to playoffs at the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association provincials hosted by St. Paul this weekend, but the Lady Saints was eliminated by the Monsignor McCoy Colts in two sets on Saturday.
The Colts dominated both sets, winning the first 25-6 and the second 25-10. The Colts went on to win silver after losing to the Holy Trinity Trojans, which took gold. The Cold Lake Royals earned bronze by defeating the St. Joseph Ceinahs.
Despite the elimination from playoffs, the Saints overcame adversity to advance from the round robin, winning three of five matches.
“We’re just absolutely thrilled with the opportunity to host provincials and to do well at provincials,” praised coach Hank Smid.
In the round robin match determining third place on the black side on Saturday, the Saints lost the first set 25-8 to the Lacombe Rams, but came back to win the second 25-22. Going into a third 15-point set, the Saints pulled off the win 15-13 in a back and forth set that had fans and parents riled up in the packed stands for both teams.
The drive from behind for the win after losing the first set shows the character of the team, said Smid. The team started the match with some nervousness and played tentatively instead of playing “in the moment,” but by believing in themselves the Saints made a noticeable change in the second set, he said.
“They fought through it. That shows character on their part.”
In earlier round robin games, the Saints lost two of three sets to Brooks and both sets to the Royals, but picked up the performance to defeat the Rundle College Cobras in three sets and Beaverlodge Regional High School Royals in two.
The Saints had a smaller sized team than others at provincials this year, with four Grade 12 players, five in Grade 11 and three in Grade 10.
“We were a young team, building toward next year,” Smid said. Having scouted local junior teams, Smid is confident in new talent replenishing the ranks and impacting the team next year.
Smid credited Emma Jackson, Krista Yacyshyn and Madi Novakowski with good attacks over the weekend. On passing, Smid praised all the players.
Opening ceremonies
On Thursday morning, St. Paul Regional High School welcomed 11 high school volleyball teams from across the province to St. Paul.
Superintendent of St. Paul Education Regional Division Glen Brodziak was on hand to speak briefly to the student athletes.
“In this gym now, I know there’s a ton of talent,” said Brodziak, adding, he would never stand in front of the athletes and tell them he hoped they all came away winners, because in the end, there is only one banner to hand out.
He told students to “leave here with your head held high and your integrity in check.”
Also on hand was Daryn Galatiuk, the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association representative, and area teacher. After congratulating the athletes for making it to provincials, he asked students to give the coaches a special round of applause for their work.
He encouraged students to strive not only for the provincial banner, but also for the Most Sportsmanlike Award, and said he hoped it would be a difficult decision to choose which team was most deserving of the award. On Saturday, the Brooks Lady Buffalos were handed the award.
