They had a very successful season and wrapped it up with a gold medal.
The Humboldt Collegiate Institute (HCI) senior girls' volleyball team finished off the 2010 season with a series of wins at the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association 4A girls' volleyball championship held November 19-20.
Humboldt won three matches in the round robin portion of the tournament, defeating LCBI from Outlook in three games, Melfort in two games, and Moose Jaw Vanier in three games to advance to the playoffs.
In the quarter-finals, HCI defeated Melfort 25-13 and 25-12.
In the semifinals, HCI beat Vanier again, with scores of 25-20 and 25-14.
In the gold medal game, HCI defeated Caronport 25-15, 27-29, and 25-22.
"The girls played a very strong tournament with great serving, good passing, and amazing setting and hitting," said coach Rod Zwarych. "In the finals, a very strong Caronport team pushed the team to the limit and they had to fight for every point."
The team had a very good season overall, winning a 32-team tournament at the University of Saskatchewan, a 10-team tournament in Lanigan, and a 10-team tournament in Outlook, Zwarych noted.
The team, which won a silver medal at last year's Provincial tournament, spent the season working on their skills, both physical and mental.
"At the beginning of the season, I talked to the girls about what a special team we had and what a special opportunity we had," Zwarych said. "We discussed how it always had to be about the team and that everyone had to accept their roles and understand how important their roles were."
After every game and every tournament, Zwarych and the team talked about what they had learned, win or lose, and how it was making them a better team.
"We talked about the sacrifices they made and how it affected the team, but also about how each person was gaining something," he said. "This was a successful season because the players never lost faith in each other. They showed a great deal of commitment, heart and character all season."
One of Zwarych's personal high points of the season was at Provincials when he overheard one player say to another "That was the best day of my life."
Zwarych also thanked his fellow coach Kerri Archibald for her contribution to the season.
"Her time and insight were very much appreciated," Zwarych said. "She coaches basketball for four months of the year and flag football in the spring, so it was great that she found the time to help with volleyball this year."
Zwarych also had words of thanks for the parents of the players.
"They were always willing to drive and come out and cheer the team on," he said. "I am so glad that they were able to watch how well their daughters played right down to the last day."
