Both the YRHS Raiders senior boys' and girls' volleyball teams failed to advance past the Regional stages of Provincial qualifying this past weekend, despite strong performances.
The boys were in Swift Current for Regionals while the girls traveled to Moose Jaw.
The underdog boys' team went undefeated in round-robin play, defeating the Weyburn Eagles in their first game two sets to one (15-25, 25-23, 25-17) before dropping the Balgonie Greenall Griffins and A.E. Peacock Tornadoes in straight sets, 25-17, 25-17 and 31-29, 27-25 respectively to finish 3-0.
The Raider boys, by virtue of their first place finish in Group B, were given a first round bye in the playoffs meaning they had already qualified for the semi-finals.
However a prolonged wait during a one day tournament could actually have a negative impact on a team and that's exactly what happened as the Raiders fell victim to a Peacock club that was just finding their groove, losing in straight sets 19-25, 12-25 to move on to, not the final, but the third place game and one last chance at Provincial qualification.
Their final opponent of the day happened to be the same one they opened tournament play against, the second ranked Weyburn Eagles.
The Raiders battled valiantly all throughout the game, however their performance was just not enough as they fell to Weyburn in straight sets to finish the Regional tournament in fourth place, just one spot out of Provincial qualification.
Following the tournament Raider coach Brittany Brenzen, who took over head coaching duties for the Regional tournament from head coach Jimmy Mak (prior engagement), said that although they didn't qualify for Provincials the team still surpassed expectations and that they had all made the coaching staff proud. "Seeing how far they came this season has been incredible," offered Brenzen. "To have other coaches/players and parents come up to us at Swift Current and other tournaments and congratulate us on how far we have come is amazing.
"It really makes you feel proud as a coach. With almost not having a team this year it's been amazing to see how far everyone on the team has progressed."
Brenzen then praised members of the team that really showed improvement, such as grade 10 middle Dylan Sharp and graduating grade 12 libero Haylen Langelier. "Dylan (Sharp) has progressed incredibly throughout the season. In the start of the year we had no idea to put him. We had him as a setter for a little bit, we put him in for right side a few times and then we had him as a middle," said the Raider coach, continuing, "Another kid that really impressed us this year was Haylen Langelier. With him playing soccer and being in track it was a huge decision for him to play volleyball this year and with him being away for soccer for about 50% of the year it was a tough decision on where to put him. The kid can jump, set, serve and pass.
"So like I said it was a tough decision but half way through the year we put him in as libero and he excelled."
The YRHS boys team will now go into the offseason knowing that next year they'll have what it takes to compete, losing just four grade 12's to graduation, as well as assistant coach Cheyenne Pryhitka who will be graduating as well.
Girls
The YRHS senior girls' volleyball team was also in Regional playdown action this past weekend as they travelled to Moose Jaw for their tournament.
The girls opened the tournament up on Friday with a hard fought straight sets defeat to Swift Current before rebounding on Saturday morning to defeat Moose Jaw Central two sets to one.
The win meant the girls headed into their third and final round-robin game against the Balgonie Greenall Griffins with a 1-1 record.
A record that fell to 1-2 after a straight sets defeat to the Griffins in their final round-robin game.
The 1-2 record meant that the Lady Raiders had to get right back onto the court for a quarter-final match against Weyburn.
And much like their Raider boy counterparts the girls also fell victim to the Eagles, bowing out of the Regional tournament in straight sets to end their quest for Provincial qualification.
