Stettler’s junior girls volleyball team kicked off the year in fine fashion last week, defeating Ponoka in their first game of the season.
Ponoka hosted the team from William E. Hay Composite High School on Tuesday, Sept. 16, losing to their challengers in four sets.
Coach Alicia Kneeland said the junior girls are building from their success last season, noting that it was at last year’s final tournament that “we jelled as a team.”
“Things are really promising this year,” she said. “We have some really powerful young ladies on our team.”
William E. Hay won in three sets — 25-22, 27-25 and 25-22 — as well as an additional round played to 15 points. Mikayla Torgerson was named player of the game.
The junior girls also competed at a tournament hosted by Calgary’s Bishop O’Byrne High School last weekend, reaching the consolation finals.
Kneeland applauded the team for its positive attitude despite its eventual defeat, adding, “We learned a lot.”
“I am so excited to be coaching the young ladies this year,” she said.
The junior girls will compete in a tournament in Lacombe on Sept. 26 and 27. They also hosted Camrose on Tuesday, Sept. 23, and are scheduled to visit Rocky Mountain House’s West Central High School on Sept. 30.
Senior boys
The senior boys team visited Ponoka for their season opener on Wednesday, Sept. 17, winning one set and losing three. Results were 21-25, 25-21, 14-25 and 15-25.
“We put in a strong effort,” said coach Derrick Hatch, “but the rust wasn’t off yet.”
Hatch said the Stettler team struggled in competing against a club team, noting, “It takes a while for them to catch up to speed.”
Still, Hatch added, he saw a lot of good effort from his team that he hopes to build upon in upcoming games.
The senior boys host Camrose on Wednesday, Sept. 24, while their next away game will be in Rocky Mountain House on Oct. 1.
Senior girls
The senior girls team also visited Ponoka to kick off their season on Wednesday, Sept. 17, losing in three sets. Results were 6-25, 11-25 and 12-25.
Coach Corinne Stephenson said the team played hard but struggled in the first set, showing marked improvement in the second and third sets.
“They started talking to each other,” she said. “They ended up meshing really well.”
Stephenson said this year is a rebuilding year for the team, with only three returning players.
They continued to make progress at a tournament in Ardrossan this past weekend, reaching the consolation finals, where they lost to Wetaskiwin.
“This weekend, they really were able to pull it together,” said Stephenson. “They’re finding some balance now.”
The senior girls hosted Camrose on Tuesday, Sept. 23, and are scheduled to visit Rocky Mountain House on Sept. 30.
Junior boys
This year, William E. Hay’s junior boys team is being coached by Joe Thibeau, who couldn’t be reached for comment at press time.
The team begins its season this week, hosting Camrose on Wednesday, Sept. 24, and will play its first away game in Rocky Mountain House on Oct. 1.