The senior boys Lakers volleyball team are looking to spike their way to provincials in 2016.
After a grueling tryout process where 24 kids competed to earn a spot on the team, Coach Darcy Marshall has a team that he believes will be one of the two teams in the zone going to Camrose for Provincials. According to Marshall, the selection process is never easy.
“It’s very difficult and it is the worst time as a coach,” he said. “In this case the fortunate thing was that all the kids had a place to play, it just wasn’t necessarily where they wanted to play.”
The athletes who did not make the senior team will all be competing at the junior level. The senior team is young but full of energy and talent, according to their coach.
“We only have two returners from last year’s senior team,” he said. “Almost everyone who was on the JV team last year has moved up. We are young but we are pretty skilled and there is lots of energy and enthusiasm. We are quite athletic.”
One of those returning players is team captain Logan Munce, who Marshall will be relying on throughout the year.
“We have a young team but we have lots of experience and lots of talent,” Munce said. “It should be a good year and we should go to provincials.”
He added that he views himself as a quiet leader that tries to lead through example by playing hard and encouraging his teammates.
Marshall is pleased with the leadership from his veterans.
“The two returners are looked at as leaders not only by myself but by their peers as well,” he said. “One of them is our captain, but either one of them could have been the captain. When things get a little scrambled, they both take on that leadership role.”
The goal for this team is to be one of the two teams going to provincials in Camrose. This means that they either have to win zones, or lose to Camrose – the host – team to reach their target.
Camrose will be a tough test, as the Lakers lost to their rival on Wednesday, September 21 in a tough 3-1 game, with sets going 22-25, 22-25, 25-23 and 18-25. This dropped the Lakers record to 2-1 in league play, after coming second in an exhibition tournament in Airdrie.
The junior boys played before the seniors and lost to Camrose in three straight sets going 7-25, 12-25 and 13-25.
The senior boys play their next game in Wetaskwin on Friday, September 30.
Munce added that in order to reach their goals the Lakers need to keep working as a team and “we will be fine.”
reporter@sylvanlakenews.com