Exhibitions important for juniors

Times Reporter 

 

The Strathmore High varsity girls volleyball squad conquered their first game of the season, blanking Oilfields High School 3-0 on Sept. 18.

“The first set was good – we just pressured them a lot, and served really tough,” said Coach Randy Moncks. “We dominated the match. But the league is a lot better, there’s a lot more teams to face.”

A fact that proved very true in the girls’ three exhibition tournaments so far. 

Their first, the Early Bird tournament, was held on Sept. 7 in Strathmore; most teams only have one practice from the start of the school year before competing.

The next weekend, the University of Calgary hosted a tournament for 16 teams. 

“We did really well,” Moncks said. “We beat Eagle Butte, who beat us in our Earlybird, knocking us out of the semifinal.”

From Sept. 21-22, SHS traveled to a tournament at SAIT, finishing fifth after losing to Canmore.

“I was quite happy with that,” Moncks said. “Lots of new faces got in, so that was nice to see, some kids trying to fit a role for me, and try to figure out how I’m going to use them.”

The exhibition play is key for the younger grades, as during league play, mostly Grade 12’s take the spotlight.

“A lot of the first years and the Grade 11’s don’t get a chance to play a whole lot. They may get in for a rotation,” Moncks said. “In my belief, I still want my Grade 12’s to do the best they possibly can, and if that means going to quarters and semis, we try to get them there.” 

The varsity girls had their game away in Strathcona Tweedsmuir on Sept. 25, after time of print.