Winning the league looked like a done deal for the St. Augustine junior varsity girls’ volleyball team last week, but strong opposition disrupted their plans.
Being first in the league secured home court advantage during playoffs Thursday, Nov. 13 and they were ready to take on their competitors. However, the same teams they beat in recent weeks appeared eager for revenge over the top team.
Things were looking good for Ponoka after defeating the David Thompson High School from Rocky Mountain House 2-1 in their second match of the night. As fate would have it, the weakest team of the league won the banner that night. The Rimbey Spartans ended the season as league champions.
Coach Nicole York said the Spartans defeated St. Augustine in the semi-finals, forcing the home team to fight for third place. They lost 2-0 in that match.
“We were in the semi-finals and we peaked them (Rimbey) very badly in the first set 25-10,” explained York.
However, having only eight players and one of them a libero — a rearmost roaming defensive player — York had little choice for substitutes. York says her team became extremely tired over the course of the playoffs. She is still proud of their efforts during the season.
“From not knowing if we had a team and now how far they’ve come along, I’m impressed,” said York.
“They exceeded my expectations,” she added.
She looks forward to players coming up next season.