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Junior, senior boys learned lots on the court

Stettler’s junior and senior boys volleyball teams are finished for the year, following a season that was a mixture of struggle and success

Stettler’s junior and senior boys volleyball teams are finished for the year, following a season that was a mixture of struggle and success for both.

The juniors competed in the second round of zone playoffs in Wetaskiwin the second week of November, after defeating Lacombe in the first round.

The boys faced Camrose in two sets, losing 25-17 and 25-14, but coach Joe Thibeau highlighted the efforts of defenseman Johan Bouwer.

They wrapped up by playing Innisfail in two close sets, ultimately losing 25-23 and 27-25.

Though they’d finished in sixth place out of six teams in the regular season, they made it to fourth place in zones, Thibeau noted.

“Overall, we — both James Choi and I — were encouraged by the progress the team made,” said Thibeau, adding that the season saw “lots of growing, lots of learning.”

He said he was especially impressed by the progress of the younger players, and he’s “excited” to work with the team again next year.

The seniors competed in the first round of zones on the weekend of Nov. 15 in Camrose, but were eliminated in the face of tough competition from other teams like Ponoka.

“They put in the best effort they could,” said coach Derrick Hatch. “It’s been an up-and-down season.”

“Some games we played over our heads,” he continued, “and some games we didn’t play up to our potential.”

He added that the team would seek to work on developing its consistency next year. The senior boys finished in fifth place out of seven teams in their regular season with a 2-4 win-loss record.