Local volleyball teams capture South Zone championships

By Lethbridge Herald on November 21, 2022.

Herald photo by Justin Seward The Chinook Coyotes senior girls volleyball team celebrates winning the 4A South Zone Championship on Saturday.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Local high school volleyball teams fought hard for their Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association South Zone championship banners this weekend.

Chinook High School Coyotes girls volleyball team claimed the 4A South Zone crown after defeating cross-town rival LCI in a thrilling five-set match (17-25,25-23,25-23,20- 25,15-12) on Saturday afternoon on home court.

“They have all the pieces that can make a championship and we just lucked out and came out on top,” said Coyotes head coach Jared Quan.

“So super proud of our girls — the way they played, the way they maintained their composure. We lost a couple of pool games against LCI, so we had a little bit of a vendetta against them, but it was awesome. Yeah, the girls played great, they rose to the occasion and looking forward to provincials now .”

He said it was definitely a week of practicing to prepare for the LCI Clippers.

“Honestly, I would give it back to our captains,” said Quan.

“They stayed composed, they’ve been here before, they knew how to calm the girls down, whereas LCI is a younger team. So I think they’re going to be really good in the future but luckily our seniority won out.”

Clippers head coach Derek Usman said it was a great match.

“You know what we showed a lot of resiliency,’ said Usman.

“We battled to the end. You know things weren’t quite going our way at times and kind of found a way to battle back and push it to a fifth set. And then in a fifth set, it was back and forth and you know what we are a very young team. So the future looks bright for these guys for sure.”

The Coyotes will now participate in the ASAA Provincial 4A Championship across town at Catholic Central this weekend.  

The Magrath Zeniths beat out Medicine Hat in straight sets (25-19,27-25,25-16 ) in the Boys 4A final as South Zone hosts and will also be at Catholic Central.

“The last two weekends they’ve kind of been on a roll,” said Ryan Blackmore, Magrath High School athletic director.

The boys opted to bump up to 4A competition this year from 3A where they played the last number of years.

“But this year they decided they wanted to opt up to the 4A and play against all the big schools,” said Blackmore.

“I think they’ve lost two matches all year and they’re excited. They won the 4A Zone, they’re very well coached and they’ve got some great athletes … They’re just a bunch of all around athletes that work hard, play a lot of sports and they’re on a roll for sure. Shane Orr is the head coach and he’s got them very well prepared and they’re a really fun exciting group to watch.”

The girls team earned a berth at the 2A provincials after beating Vauxhall in straight sets (Vauxhall 24-26,27-25,15-10 ) at the South Zone tournament at Lethbridge College and will head to Claresholm’s Willow Creek Composite High School for their provincials.

Blackmore felt that the school was lucky to have enough girls to field a 2A team this year and will be going after there second consecutive provincial title.

“They’re probably the most gritty team I’ve ever watched,” said Blackmore.

“They don’t quit. There’s maybe one club player on the team. The rest of them, they all play softball, rugby, basketball, indoor soccer. They’re not just volleyball players, but they’re gritty, they have fun, they work hard and they’re very well prepared.”

The Winston Churchill Griffins girls volleyball team won  the 3A South Zone banners after beating the Eagle Butte Talons (25-17,25-20,25-22 ) in the final on Saturday in Dunmore.

“I’m very excited for the girls,” said coach Alexa Koshman.

“I mean our season was full of ups and downs and I would always kind of  tell the girls that they’re capable of high levels of success and competing at a high level. And it’s nice that the girls were finally able to see that result and see that playing the best in the biggest moments pays off.”

She thought their team dynamic and playing as a whole unit was what led to their success.

“We are the definition of a team and we support each other on and off the court and so I think that really helped us with success on the court,”she said.

The girls are hosting provincials on their court and Eagle Butte will be there as Churchill is ho

Cardston won the 3A boys title to book their spot at Provincials at Winston Churchill.

Winston Churchill boys won bronze and will host provincials as well this weekend.

Picture Butte boys won the 1A South Zone banner with a three -set win  (22-25,25- 19,15-10 over St. Michael’s Pincher Creek. St. Michael’s gets a berth because of Picture Butte hosting.

The 1A girls South Zone banner went to Stirling, as they beat St. Mary’s Taber.

Kate Andrews defeated Immanuel Christian in the 2A boys final to advance to provincials at Oilfields High School.

ASAA Provincials are Nov. 24-26.

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