ESTEVAN - The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs volleyball program will be well represented at the upcoming Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s provincial tournaments.
The senior girls’ team finished second at their regional tournament at Moose Jaw Peacock to advance to provincials in Balgonie on Nov. 18-19. The senior boys, meanwhile, were third at regionals in Weyburn to advance to their provincial tournament Nov. 25-26 in Swift Current.
It will be the first time at provincials for both programs in a number of years.
The senior girls opened with a 2-1 (23-25, 25-23, 16-14) victory over host Moose Jaw Peacock. The Elecs then lost 2-1 (19-25, 25-17, 16-14) to Balgonie Greenall to finish second in their pool with a 1-1 record.
Estevan swept Yorkton Regional 2-0 (25-19, 25-21) in the quarter-final, and edged Weyburn 2-1 (21-25, 25-19, 15-13) in the semifinal to guarantee their spot at provincials.
“The semifinal was a bit intense,” said head coach Tamara Franklin. “They did have the first set on us, and then we came back and dominated the second set.”
The final match was a 2-1 loss (25-13, 22-25, 15-11) to Balgonie. Franklin noted all of their players were on the court at some point in the final.
“It was important for us to do as well as we could, but I wanted everybody to see the court so that they have that joy of ‘We made it to the finals,’” said Franklin.
Franklin admitted she has “mixed emotions” about making to provincials, ranging from the joy of qualifying to the nerves of being at provincial after not being at the competition.
She noted she and assistant coaches Kourtney Kobitz and Dana Wilbraham did a lot of preparation work prior to regionals.
“We had a week of preparations before regionals where we focus on certain strategies for certain teams, and then the night before, we just rehearse what we have to do, and that worked out,” said Franklin.
Once on the court, the players were working together at the right time to make plays and work as a team.
“Our middles [middle blockers] have done wonderful, actually,” said Franklin. “They’ve been reading the kills from the opponents, so they’re making sure they can block it or get touches on it, so we’re not dead in the water when they try to attack us.”
Jenna Knibbs, Randi Milbrandt and Katelyn Zukewich all played great, too, she said.
Frankline pointed out they played four straight games at one point, so they didn’t have a chance to leave the gymnasium at any point. There wasn’t a canteen, either. Elecs’ parents dashed out to pick up food for the players.
“We’re very fortunate to have a very good, supportive parent group for our team,” said Franklin. “I’m very proud, not just of our players, but our parents as well.”
As for the senior boys, they went 2-0 in the round robin to finish first and advance directly to the semifinal. Estevan defeated Moose Jaw Peacock 2-0 (25-16, 25-16) and Yorkton Region High School 2-0 (25-6, 25-16) in the round robin.
In the semifinal, Estevan lost 2-0 (25-22, 25-21) to Weyburn, just their third loss in nine matches this season, but recovered to knock off Balgonie 2-1 (22-25, 25-13, 15-12) to qualify for provincials.
“Normally we’ve been beating them [Balgonie] all the way along, but they’re a really scrappy team. They don’t have big hitters that overpower you, but they pass everything forward,” said assistant coach Neal Linthicum. “It’s hard to get a point on them if it’s an easy ball going over the net.”
Linthicum said they knew entering the tournament that they had a good shot of making it to provincials, based on what they saw from their opponents in tournament play, but they also knew nothing was guaranteed.
“I’m excited to see what provincials are all about,” he said. “We’ve been playing all year against the teams that are going there, so finally we get to see where we line up in the province,” he said. “We’re pumped. It’s nice to have another week of volleyball.”
Linthicum was pleased with their passing game at regionals, and they used their middle blockers more often. They also cut down on the mental errors such as missed serves.
“If you can minimize that, it makes a big difference,” said Linthicum.
Koen Turner, a Grade 11 middle blocker, was great for them this weekend, Linthicum said, thanks to a number of blocks and some big kills.
Making it to provincials was a goal of theirs from the start of the season, and Linthicum is pleased that they didn’t give up. He recognizes there will be some strong teams at provincials.
Also during the weekend, Lampman School hosted the girls’ 1A regional qualifier. Lampman lost to Wawota Parkland School 2-1 (18-25, 25-23, 15-11) in the final, but both teams made it to provincials.
Lampman went 2-0 in the round robin, defeating Lemberg 2-0 (25-16, 25-14) and Avonlea 2-0 (25-17-25-6) in the round robin, and Bengough 2-0 (25-12, 25-13) in the semifinal.
Midale Central School was also at the Lampman regional. They lost 2-0 (25-18, 25-18) to Wawota and 2-0 (25-17, 25-13) to Bengough in their games.
