The Ponoka Warriors under-15 (U15) and under-16 (U16) girls volleyball teams held very successful tournaments at St. Augustine School on March 29 and 30 respectively. Both tournaments were six team round robin events with teams from Edson, Calgary, Three Hills, Sylvan Lake, Drumheller, Millet and Lacombe-Bentley
At the U15 tournament the Warriors started and finished very strong. In the round robin they finished in first place, defeating the Ponoka Crusiers, Sylvan Lake, North 49 of Calgary, Drumheller by 2-0 scores, rallied to get by Threes Hills 2-1 after losing the first set.
In the semi-final playoffs they squared off a much improved and enthusiastic Sylvan Lake squad. The result was a loss in the first set. Determined to get to the finals the Warriors regrouped to win the second set, they took control in the third set winning 15-3.
In the finals, the Warriors would face Three Hills who defeated North 49 in their semi-final match. Three Hills played a strong hitting and blocking game in the first set to win to 25-17. The Warriors came back in the second set with more steady play to win 25-18. In the third and deciding set Three Hills lead almost the entire way, with the Warriors using their final time out trailing 9-13. Somehow the local girls managed to pick up their game just enough to even the score at 13-13, then also score the final two points for an amazing 15-13 come back victory, claiming the tournament championship. North 49 defeated Sylvan Lake to claim third place.
The next day, the U16s would take to the court to try to make it a sweep for the Warriors team. Their day began very successfully with a 2-0 win over Millet, followed by a gutsy comeback win 2-1 over Sylvan Lake, winning the third set 15-13.
They continued on their way with another 2-0 over West Country, then followed that up with another exciting 2-1 win over Edson. In their last round match they faced North 49, which saw them win by a 2-0 giving them first place overall repeating the feat of the U15’s the day before. In the semi-finals the U16 Warriors faced North 49 and defeated them 2-0 to advance to the finals against Sylvan Lake. Although both sets were hard fought and close, the Warriors were unable to match Sylvan Lake’s hitting attack. This was the only loss of the tournament for the U16’s Warriors, making it a very successful weekend. North 49 defeated Edson to claim third place for the second straight day.