The two Stettler boys volleyball teams gave it their best at CARA earlier in November, with teams placing second and third, breaking a long-time drought for medal competition.
Stettler 2 had a season where the team won as many as they lost, coach Kevin Burkard said.
"We played a quarter-final against Castor, where we were down one set to none," he said. "The boys battled back to win the second to force a set three, and rose up to win that to earn a semi final game versus Christ King."
The boys defeated Christ King in two straight to face Donalda in the final. The first set in the final had a 20-20 tie to end up 25-22 for Donalda.
In set two, "the boys just ran out of steam," Burkard said, but brought home silver — quite the achievement, he noted.
Stettler 1 went undefeated in league play and undefeated in the tournament's round robin, coach Kevin Burkard said.
"We ran into Donalda in the semi-final," he said. "They gave us good games throughout the season, especially in the Lacombe and Castor tournaments, where Donalda came out on top."
Donalda beat Stettler 1 in the third and deciding set to go on to the finals. Stettler 1 beat Christ King 2 straight to capture bronze.
"This is the first time in eight or nine years that Stettler has made it to the gold medal game, and for both teams to make the podium is exceptional," Burkard said.
Both teams competed in Red Deer at Hunting Hills at CWAJHAA on Nov. 21, ending their season there.