It’s been a season to remember and the hope is the Central Rage U15 girls can keep the momentum going.
Based in Ponoka, the volleyball club attracts players from around rural central Alberta and has been in the top 10 team’s in Alberta this season. The Rage has achieved this, despite being the one of the only clubs in division one that operates outside of the province’s big cities.
The club was in Sylvan Lake April 14 and 15 for the last of the three Premier Division tournaments, winding up in eighth spot out of the 16 teams in the top division.
“We did have a great weekend,” explained Rage head coach Tammy Emes, “We ended up being short, as there was a few injuries prior to the tournament.”
The Rage, with just eight players, came out of the their pool — which included Coaldale and two Calgary clubs — in second spot and then went on to defeat the Calgary Canuck team in the crossover playoff. However, the Rage fell in a very close A-side quarterfinal to the South Peace (Grande Prairie) Volleyball Club in three sets.
“We had some moments of greatness, but came up short in that third set, losing 15-9,” Emes added.
“The season has been going well so far, and playing in division one for provincials this year.”
That provincial tournament is what Rage is preparing for, which will take place May 5 and 6 in Calgary. The club will have to battle hard, as the rest of their pool includes the fifth, sixth and seventh ranked teams in the division.
Emes noted that, depending on their placing in provincials, the Rage will play in either Division one or two at the Volleyball Canada Nationals in Edmonton May 17 to 19.