Local area teams are well decorated after a weekend of high school volleyball at the provincial and regional level. One provincial gold, three regional gold, three regional silver and a bronze were won by teams surrounding the Battlefords.
4A Boys
Wilkie hosted regionals and expected if they played to their capabilities they would be moving on to provincials and did just that. Wilkie beat Dalmeny 25-15, 25-22 in the semi final and were off to the final against Rossignol.
It was another straight set win with Wilkie taking the first set 25-18. Great net play by Robert Cey and Kirk Miller and strong serving by Chris Pennell gave Wilkie the one set lead. In the second set, Keegan Bryan set the tone for Wilkie with two big blocks early. Dakota Sander was on fire in the second set for Wilkie with several kills and the McLurg Broncs eventually held on for the 26-24 win and the regional title.
Wilkie and Rossignol, along with La Loche, will be in La Ronge for provincials this weekend.
Spiritwood was also taking part at regionals in Wilkie, but were eliminated in the quarter-final.
4A Girls
Unity was the host site and the lone Northwest Saskatchewan representative. After some exciting volleyball, Unity was eliminated by Moose Jaw Vanier in the quarter-final. Humboldt went on to win the final in three sets over Caronport. Clavet won bronze.
3A Boys
Waldheim hosted and won the north regional playoff on the weekend and did so with a straight set win over Neilburg.
Lashburn were also at regional playoffs, but Maidstone ended their season with a straight-set win in the quarter-finals.
Joining the top two teams from the north region will be Maidstone, the host of 3A boys' provincials. Opening ceremonies gets started around 10 a.m. in Maidstone with volleyball action starting at 11 a.m.
3A Girls
The Cut Knife senior girls' team earned their second straight provincial medal, this time it was of the gold variety.
In the quarter-final, Cut Knife was led by Aleah Anseth and Katlin Kelly and won 25-19, 27-25 over Rosthern.
Next, Cut Knife took on Kipling and needed three sets to advance to the gold medal match. After losing the first set 25-22, Cut Knife battled to win the second set and, with the game tied 19-19, they pulled away and won 25-22. The third set was even all the way with neither team wanting to make a costly mistake. In the end, Anseth served for five straight points and won 25-21.
In the final, Cut Knife took on Waldheim in another even match. What better way to crown a provincial champion then going to three sets? That was what happened at the final in Ponteix.
Waldheim took the first set 25-22, but Cut Knife responded in the second set with a 25-16 victory. Bertoia had a few big hits in the second set and helped Cut Knife force a third set. The match started even, but Cut Knife eventually pulled in front and with a kill from Kelly on the final point. The Crush earned gold with a 25-20 win.
The 3A gold medal complements Cut Knife's 2A silver from last season.
2A Boys
Medstead had already clinched a provincial spot due to hosting this weekend, but they didn't take the easy way in. Medstead took regional gold after a three-set win over Maymont in an energetic game. The set scores were 25-15, 23-15, 25-22.
Goodsoil beat Pelican Lake in the bronze final to also advance to provincials. Joining Goodsoil, Medstead and Maymont at provincials will be Saskatoon Christian, Fox Valley, Cupar, Kinistino, Davidson, Naicam, Arcola, Wolseley and Cabri.
2A Girls
Two Northwest teams were at provincials in Bruno and both, unfortunately, had early exits. St. Walburg lost in two sets to Hepburn in the first round of playoffs. At the same time, Neilburg was knocked out in three sets by Makwa Sahgaiehcan by scores of 11-25, 25-15, 26-24.
1A Boys
Glaslyn was the host site for the north regional championships and home court advantage paid off.
Glaslyn clinched a spot at provincial this weekend when they won in the semi final against St. Louis. They needed three sets, but strong jump serves and good defence was the key to them moving on. From there, Glaslyn played Borden in the regional final and won in two sets, 25-14, 26-24.
It was a complete team effort for Glaslyn, as Gary Burgess was dangerous with his jump serve, Aaron Allen was smashing balls, Nathan Painter was blocking well and Jordan Dmytryshyn was running all over the court playing great defence.
Glaslyn as well as Borden and Perdue advanced from the north regional championship and will be in Allan for provincials Friday and Saturday.
1A Girls
Hafford took bronze at regionals in Luseland and earned a spot at provincials this weekend. Taking first place was Christian Centre and Goodsoil was second.
Peirceland forced three sets in the bronze medal game with Hafford, but eventually lost a close match 23-25, 25-23. 17-25.
Provincials take place in Milestone this weekend.
