Skip to content

Bashaw Rebels volleyball take pair of tournament titles over weekend

Boys and girls squads getting stronger as season winds toward provincial playoffs
13983169_web1_180214-BAS-Rebelslogo_1
Bashaw Rebels logo

October has been pretty good for Rebels volleyball.

Both the senior boys and girls took on some tough competition in a pair of tournament weekends to go along with a trip down Highway 53 to clash with arch rivals Forestburg.

For the girls, they came out on top Oct. 12 and 13 at the Forestburg tournament, followed up with a three set victory in Forestburg during league action Oct. 16 and then captured their second straight tournament championship Oct. 19 and 20 in Stettler.

Head coach Don Seale noted the girls cruised through much of the Forestburg tourney, sweeping their opening three matches because of their offensive capabilities. The rest of the round robin was a bit more competitive, but the Rebels weren’t really tested until the final versus Forestburg.

“We dominated the first set, but got behind early in the second,” he said. “They made a rotation change and got their two big blockers up against us that got them some success.”

However, Seale countered that in the final set and Bashaw came back from a 14-10 deficit to win courtesy of great serves and a huge block by Georgia Wray to keep the set going to earn the 16-14 victory.

For Seale, the Stettler tournament win was a continuation of the team’s consistent work ethic and improvement on the defensive side of the ball.

Repeat champs

On the boys side of the net, the Rebels have silver and gold to show off from their last two tournaments.

Head coach Jesse Viske stated the club did well Oct. 13 and 14 at a tournament in Eckville, losing the final to last year’s 1A provincial champion — Lacombe’s Central Alberta Christian.

The boys managed to defeat last year’s provincial bronze medalist, Olds Koinonia Christian School, to make the final, though lost 25-19, 25-20.

“The boys put together some great teamwork, but this was a huge victory for us anyway, giving us the acknowledgement that we are on the right track.”

That statement would be confirmed by the boys capturing the Forestburg tournament for the second straight year. Viske explained there was one hiccup last week that shows the need to stay focused.

“The boys struggled Oct. 16 in our league match in Forestburg,” he said, adding it didn’t look like the team showed up.

“We lost in straight sets and shows we need to be consistent in our play, plus we need all of our players to show up ready to play in order to be successful.”

And everyone did show up Oct. 19 and 20 for the Forestburg tournament, where the Rebels went undefeated.

Provincial host

With the 1A Boys provincial volleyball championship just a month away, the organizing committee is looking for community support though some volunteers that can help in a variety of ways.

From scorekeeping to cleaning to helping in the concession and many more jobs, if you have as little as an hour to give from Nov. 22 to 24, the tournament could use the assistance. To check out what volunteer jobs are available and to sign up, visit https://www.volunteersignup.org/PA3XD.



jordie.dwyer@ponokanews.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter