JV hops over Highwood

Times Reporter

 

The junior varsity Strathmore High School (SHS) Spartan boys conquered Highwood High School’s Mustangs 3-1 at home on the volleyball court, by a score of 25-14, 25-17, 24-26 and 25-12 on Oct. 2. The team sits 3-0 on the season now, having previously defeated Black Diamond and Strathcona Tweedsmuir. 

“As the game went on, we started to let up a bit, and we got a little overconfident; it came back to bite us. But the guys did a good job of refocusing and getting back to what they did well,” Spartans coach Cole Hintz said. “They worked really well at hustling and having each other’s back. There was a lot of really good plays where guys were running, chasing down balls outside of the court and bringing them back. They did a great job.”

Highwood has recently restarted their volleyball program for the second time in 10 years. The school has had trouble picking up sets, but wanted to attempt league play again with their skilled players coming up to reasonable size.

“They’re kind of starting from scratch,” Hintz said.

SHS’s next game is Oct. 16 at home against Foothills Composite High School – this brings a small rest for the JV team over Thanksgiving.

“I think this break comes at a great time for us, where we’ve had a little bit of experience playing,” Hintz said. “Now we can spend some time on skill development and improving individual skills – not having to focus so much on the team aspect.”

Playoffs begin at the end of the October; Strathmore feels they can finish fairly high in the standings. Last weekend, at an exhibition tournament in Brooks, JV players gained valuable experience playing at a tougher varsity level.

“It would be great if we won all of our games,” Hintz said. The JV league, it’s kind of all over; there are teams that are all junior high kids, there are teams where it’s a mix of Grade 10’s and 9’s. We have a couple of Grade 11’s on our team which as been really good for us physically. We have a strong team compared to some others that we’re going to see.”