In any sport there is a season to remember and for the St. Augustine Queens senior girls’ volleyball team this year is going to be one of them.
They were excited at the chance to take zones Nov. 16 and 17 and compete — for the first time — at provincials but those hopes were dashed in the finals against Bawlf. Hopes were high at the beginning of the finals, especially after beating Bawlf 25-18 and 25-12 in round robin games.
The Queens were nervous at first, explained team co-captain Alison Beier. She praised the team for coming back from a deficit however.
“Both times we were kind of trailing but both times we managed to come back,” she said. “I’m still pretty proud of the team.”
They were behind by a margin of six points in the first game and eventually lost 25-21. The other captain, Kaitlin Lomas, feels the finals were a challenge for the entire team. “I think that it was a really emotional game for everyone.”
Coach Darren Josephison said Bawlf has a strong volleyball program and he feels it has given them valuable experience, especially in a high-pressure game. “I knew that might be the danger playing them in the finals. That would be their motivation to beat us.”
His players were fairly upset at the loss. “I think there were probably at least four girls in tears.”
Bawlf played a challenging game in the finals and played consistent volleyball throughout.
“The other team just did so well, they didn’t let us off the hook when we made a mistake,” he explained.
Lomas and Beier are both graduating this year and they considered what the season meant for them. For Lomas it was enhancing her leadership in volleyball. “This season for me was all about developing different skills.”
Skills such as patience and leadership for her team. “Looking at how I can improve my game and helping improve others without nagging.”
Beier feels the team bonded well. “Everyone tried their hardest.”
Josephison feels the season appeared to go by quicker than expected. “It seems like it was Sept. 1 a couple of days ago.”
He is proud of what has happened to St. Augustine’s volleyball program over the last few years, which has gained respect from other schools. “We’ve medalled in the last four of five years…We have arrived as a program.”
The Queens finished zones with a record of 8-2 playing Coronation 25-13 and 25-21, Bawlf 25-18 and 25-12, Chauvin 25-10 and 25-18, and Daysland 25-21 and 25-18.