The competition was tough, as the senior girls volleyball team from École H. J. Cody High School competed at provincials at Edmonton’s Saville Centre last week.
The girls, competing in Pool B, finished with two wins and three losses to gain a berth in the quarter finals.
In their first match, last Thursday they met Richard F. Staples Secondary Thunderbirds from Westlock losing their first set 21-25 but then winning the next two 25-21 and 15-7.
Their second match pitted them against Monsignor McCoy High School Colts from Medicine Hat. Here they won two close sets 28-26 and 25-11.
Then they played against Beaverlodge Regional High School Royals Friday morning, losing close sets 24-26 and 23-25.
Playing against Ardrossan Jr. Sr. High School Bisons just after noon Friday, the girls won their first set 25-22 then lost the subsequent two 17-25 and 13-15.
The final pool game was late Friday afternoon against St. Paul Regional High School Saints. This match went two sets with the Lakers losing 24-26 and 18-25.
They finished in third place in Pool B with the 2-3 record.
Then it was on to quarter finals Saturday morning where they met St. Albert Catholic Skyhawks who finished second in Pool A.
This match also went two games with St. Albert eliminating the Lakers from further competition, winning 25-3 and 25-21.
“After a tough first set, the girls fought back and lost a very close second set,” said coach Jason Chatwood. “It was very close between all of these teams that advanced to the playoff round.”
St. Albert went on to defeat Beaverlodge in the semi-finals and claim silver after being defeated by Eagle Butte in the gold medal game. Scores in that game were 25-22 for Eagle Butte, 25-14 for St. Albert and 20-18 for Eagle Butte.
“This was a great experience for the girls, showing they were one of the top teams in the province this year,” Chatwood said. “It’s something I am sure that they will never forget. Provincials is a great way to end the year for the team, and very special for those Grade 12 girls to win gold in our zone. I am very proud of our team and everything that we accomplished, it was a great year.”