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St. Augustine Queens defeat Rimbey rivals

A strong performance between the two teams in Ponoka created an action-packed game
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Grade 12 Hailey Petterson makes this play of the match with a short hit across the net scoring another point for the Queens. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

The balance has tipped in favour of the St. Augustine Queens in their rivalry against the Rimbey Spartans.

Playing at home Oct. 17, the undefeated Queens took on their rivals the Rimbey Spartans with strong sets for both teams, however, the Queens came out on top with a 3-1 match win.

Coach Darren Josephison said the two teams seem to go back and forth in the league and this year it was the Queens’ turn. He was pleased with the performance.

“It was pretty good defensive volleyball with a lot of scrambling,” said Josephison.

The area that needed work in this match was in offence, both in setting and solid hits against Rimbey.

“Two or three kids really stepped up and made some plays,” he said.

One thing he noticed was that both teams seemed to struggle in the offensive side of the match, which may be partly due to having kids in both teams being sick.

Despite those challenges, Josephison feels the team’s serving was key to the win.

“We probably only missed two or three serves,” he explained.

“It’s nice that we were able to get it done without our offence clicking.”

While there were some struggles, the Queens showed no signs of giving up. At certain points in the game, the players looked like they weren’t going to return the ball, but hard work and communication proved too much for the Spartans.

There was one play that stood out that night; player Hailey Petterson, Grade 12, was up at the net for a second hit when she dumped it low and behind her into the Spartans’ court. It took everyone, including the Queens by surprise and got Ponoka another point.

“That dump was probably the best play I’ve seen all year,” said Josephison.

“I feel like our Grade 12s stepped up for the night.”

The win should guarantee the Queens second place in the league but they still have to play the other undefeated team in the league, Pigeon Lake.

Whoever wins that match should guarantee a first place league win. In the end that won’t matter because when it comes to provincials, only the winner at zones will go.

The Queens and Kings play Pigeon Lake at home tonight.



jeff.heyden-kaye@ponokanews.com

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