The senior girls Vikings have enjoyed great success this season, coming off a districts championship. The team will now look to build on their momentum as a contender on the provincial stage. (submitted photo/Stephen Neufeld)

By Martin Martinson

Province's Elite

Coming off gold medal showing at districts, NBCHS senior girls look for volleyball glory at provincials

Nov 14, 2019 | 2:34 PM

The North Battleford Comprehensive High School (NBCHS) Vikings senior girls volleyball team has been a force all season long, and will look to continue that trend as the team makes their way to provincials this weekend.

The senior girls earned the gold medal at regionals. Now at the provincial ranks, the squad will get a chance to stack up against some of the top teams from throughout Saskatchewan.

Provincials will be held at Weyburn’s Comprehensive High School gymnasium and Cugnet Centre this year. A tournament featuring 10 teams, the schools will be split into two pools of five each.

NBCHS will be a part of Pool A, a grouping that includes three number one Regional winners and two second place finishers. Adding fuel to the competitive fire, the Vikings will open their tournament against Regina’s Campbell Collegiate, who won provincials last year.

While the task at hand may appear daunting at first glance, the Vikings have shown an unbelievable resiliency throughout their season thus far.

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Despite a rash of injuries and illness to key players throughout the campaign, the team still managed to take home three gold medals and a silver through the regular season. Furthermore, they then also took top spot at both regionals and the regional warmups, cementing themselves as a powerhouse in their own right.

While NBCHS finished fifth at provincials last year, head coach of the senior girls, Jana Friedenstab said the experience gained by the collective group should only help them this time around.

“They are a little older this year so I think they are going to be [a little more aware] of what to expect heading into play,” she said. “I think they have a lot more confidence in themselves this time around.”

Friedenstab said there is no question the Vikings’ girls have the skills to compete for a championship at the provincial level, adding that at this point it is about entering the weekend embracing that confidence and self-belief within.

“They just need to believe in themselves because they are a really strong team and we are going to be a really strong contender at provincials,” she said. “Just knowing we can play with anybody and beat anybody is just more mental for them. We are a very strong team physically and I just think for us if will just be buying into believing that we can do it.”

The Vikings’ opening game Friday against Campbell Collegiate will be a noon start at Cugnet Centre in Weyburn.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1