CHAMPS: SCCHS Colts dominate 5A provincials

Smiles say it all, Colts 5A volleyball champions!

By Valerie Gordon

What an exciting weekend for our SWAC volleyball teams. The SCCHS Colts were at the 5A Provincial tournament in Saskatoon on November 19/20. They were the top ranked team in the province going into the championship, which put a lot of pressure on their shoulders. Though there were some nail biting moments, the Colts went undefeated in matches and won the GOLD medal. The finished atop their pool with a 4-0 record with wins over Regina Martin (25-15, 25-18), PA Carlton (25-10, 25-10), Saskatoon Centennial (25-27, 25-15, 15-7) and PA St Mary (25-22, 25-16). In the playoff cross over they defeated Regina Campbell (25-18, 25-14). A semifinal win against a tough Saskatoon St Joseph team (25-21-25-22), put the Colts into the final back against PA St Mary. Both teams would go on small scoring runs during the sets, then the other team would battle back. It was an ‘edge of your seat’ match with SCCHS securing the gold medal with a dramatic second set victory (25-19, 28-26). Congratulations to the SCCHS Colts and their coaches, Darren Lehmann and Liam Choo Foo, on an outstanding season.

The 5A SCCHS Ardens hosted the 5A girls’ championship. The top 10 teams from big city schools were in attendance. The Ardens started with 2 losses on the Friday to Saskatoon Holy Cross (15-25, 17-25) and PA St Mary (11-25, 20-25). The team rebounded in their two matches Saturday winning over Regina Campbell (25-15, 25-17) and Balgonie Greenall (25-12, 25-22). The Ardens finished 3^rd in their pool and crossed over to play #2 Regina Miller in the quarter final. What an exciting match… the hometown cheered hard, but the girls came up just short of the medal rounds with a match loss (25-13, 23-25, 11-15) and were eliminated from the tournament. Thanks to the Provincial Tournament Commissioners Andrew Herrick/Roberta McIntyre, SCCHS staff and students, SR Ardens and Coach Gerod Weins/Travis Kelln for organizing and running a tremendous provincial event. 

1A Fox Valley Legend girls and Frontier Raider girls were at the Provincial Tournament in Loreburn. Frontier had a tough time in their pool, with losses to LeRoy (25-16,25-13), Fox Valley (25-14, 25-12), Wawota (25-19, 25-19,) Medstead (25-21, 25-9) and didn’t advance to the playoff rounds. Fox Valley had pool wins against Frontier (25-16, 25-12), Medstead (25-23, 25-14) and LeRoy (22-25, 25-23, 15-11). There only loss was against Wawota (25-18, 19-25, 13-15). That left Fox Valley in a three way tie for first place in the pool. When the tie-break was applied, Fox Valley was 2^nd in their pool. In the playoff cross over, they played #3 Loreburn (their rivals from Regionals). The match went 3 sets, with hometown Loreburn prevailing again (12-25, 25-10, 15-9). The Legends were eliminated from the competition. 

3A Maple Creek Rebelles girls’ volleyball team traveled to Shellbrook for their provincial tournament. In their pool play, Maple Creek had losses against Kipling (16-25, 17- 25), Watrous (21-25, 25-17, 14-16) and Dalmeny (25-27, 13-25). Their win came against Lashburn (25-15, 25-14). Maple Creek finished 4^th in their pool and played #1 Carnduff in the quarter final. The Rebelles couldn’t pull of the upset of the eventual gold medalists and were eliminated (18-25, 10-25).

We had two 1A boys’ volleyball teams at SHSAA Regional competitions on Saturday. The Vanguard Valkyrs joined host Fox Valley Legends to battle for one of the 3 spots available for provincials. Fox Valley won their pool with wins over Kincaid (25-11, 25-18) and Vanguard (25-19, 22-25, 15-9). Vanguard finished second in the pool by beating Kincaid 25-17, 25-14. In the semifinal cross over match, Fox Valley beat Beechy (25-21, 25-21) and Vanguard beat Lafleche (25-22, 22-25, 15-11). The created an all SWAC final between Fox Valley and Vanguard, two very evenly matched teams. On this day, Fox Valley prevailed 21-25, 25-18, 17-15. Both teams advance to the 1A boys provincials held in Fox Valley on November 26/27. 

The 3A Shaunavon Shadows volleyball team was at an 8 team Regional in Unity on Saturday. They finished 1^st in their pool with wins against Delisle (27-25, 25-17), Biggar (25-22, 22-25, 15-10), and Rosetown (25-21, 25-16). They played Lashburn in the cross over semi final and won 20-25, 25-16, 15-12. It was a battle between the two top teams for the regional title, hometown Unity vs Shaunavon. On this day, Unity had the upper hand and won 22-25, 25-10, 15-10. By finishing second, the Shadows will advance to 3A provincials back in Unity on November 26/27.

SWAC would like to thank all those to stepping up to coach our fall sports (golf, cross country, soccer, football, and volleyball). We appreciate you volunteering and sharing your passion for sport with out students. A special shout out to all our fall officials…. none of our league games, tournaments, playoffs and championships can happen without you. Your dedication to school sport is appreciated. 

Celebrate School Sport by participating in “JERSEY DAY” on Friday, November 26. Wear any jersey to show support for school sport. We invite all SWAC/Chinook schools and community members to take part.

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