Two Bonnyville athletes will be a part of the U15 volleyball team representing Zone 7 at the 2014 Alberta Winter Games, scheduled to take place in Banff/Canmore this weekend.
Harlee Cameron and Nicole Bourget will join 10 teammates in making the trip to southwestern Alberta, hoping to improve on the previous team's last place finish in 2012.
Rod Hebert will be taking on the responsibility of coaching the team at the tournament and following more than two months of practices and team get-togethers, he believes he has a squad capable of competing with the best Alberta has to offer.
“I'm pretty excited to have this group of girls for the upcoming Winter Games because they're extremely talented, but also pretty mature for their age,” Hebert said. “The chemistry they've demonstrated to me over the past two months has been pretty phenomenal. They play well together, get along with each other, are very respectful and work exceptionally hard – their work ethic is truly incredible.”
Hebert admitted the challenge for this team would come when they face the “big city” teams out of Edmonton and Calgary, but he's confident in the team's character and ability to give anyone “one heck of a game” at the bi-yearly tournament.
“One of the things about these games is that every region in the province is represented. So, with us being grouped as northeastern Alberta we're in really tough against some of the big cities at this tournament,” Hebert said. “We're going to be playing against their top 12 girls out of a million or so people, but in saying that it kind of gives us more of a challenge to prove to these teams that we can compete with them and play with them. And I really think we can.”
He added, “A lot of these girls are playing club level volleyball, which is the next step above their school program. So, this sort of thing isn't new to them. Most of these girls have played against some of the better players and teams in the province before, so this will be just another challenge for them to overcome.”
Cameron says she's excited to take part in the tournament and hopes her teammates will come together at the right moment and give themselves a chance of winning a medal.
“I'm pretty excited to have made the team that will be representing the region and travelling (to Banff/Canmore) for the Alberta Winter Games,” Cameron said. “I think it will be a really good experience for me, and hopefully the team will do well. We have lots of good players and we've been practicing together for a while now so we've become really close and helped (each other improve).”
This will mark the first time Cameron has been involved in a provincial-level tournament outside of club volleyball and she says the whole experience has only served to improve her as a player.
“I think the thing I'll take away most from being involved in the team and playing (at the winter games) is playing with so many different girls and (learning) and improving from them. Hopefully we can (use that experience) and do well.”
Hebert says he's hoping for a big performance from the girls, seeing a top four finish at the eight-team tournament as a strong possibility.
“I am hoping for a top four finish at this tournament if I'm being totally honest,” Hebert said. “That's my goal. A gold medal is certainly attainable with these girls – they have the necessary drive and competitiveness. I'm just looking for them to leave it all on the court down there.”
The 2014 Alberta Winter Games will be held in Banff and Canmore from Feb. 6 to the 9. For more information visit www.volleyballalberta.ca/content/alberta-winter-games-indoor-volleyball
