The NBCHS senior girls Vikings followed up their gold medal finish at regionals with a bronze medal performance at provincials (pictured here), becoming the school’s first senior girls team to medal on the provincial stage in over 20 years. (submitted photo/Jana Friedenstab)

By Martin Martinson

Vikings' Pride

NBCHS senior girls claim first provincial medal in 23 years

Nov 22, 2019 | 3:49 PM

The North Battleford Comprehensive High School (NBCHS) senior girls volleyball team capped their season with a bronze medal performance at provincials.

The bronze medal serves as the team’s first podium finish at provincials in over 20 years, an accomplishment not lost on their coach.

“I am really proud of them,” Head Coach Jana Friedenstab said. “They did really well and everyone was congratulating the girls when they returned [to the school] too.”

The girls’ run to the bronze finish, however, didn’t come without its share of adversity.

NBCHS started the tournament a bit slow, leading to a third place finish in their pool following round robin play. The placement also meant the Vikings would have their work cut out for them in the quarter-finals against a strong Swift Current team that finished second in the opposite pool.

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Rather than back down though, the girls viewed the challenge as an opportunity and made a slight adjustment, shifting from a 6-2 to a 5-1 offensive system ahead of the playoff rounds.

The response from the team was immediate. The squad came out on fire, exploding out of the gate against Swift to take a 19-1 lead in the first set. They then never looked back.

Following their dominating effort against the higher-seeded Swift Current team, the girls then looked to continue to build on their momentum.

Playing another giant, Regina’s Campbell Collegiate in the semifinals, NBCHS won the first set, but were ultimately edged out by the reigning provincial champs in each of the final two sets.

Rather than be discouraged by the defeat, however, the Vikings’ senior girls kept their heads high heading into the bronze medal final.

Facing off against perennial powerhouse, P.A. Carlton, the girls beat Prince Albert, 25-14 and 25-12 in straight sets to claim the bronze.

“They played really well,” Friedenstab said. “My three seniors were all really on point and performed really well.”

She said it was that leadership from the top down that spread confidence through the team and ultimately led to their success in the end.

With just the three graduating players on the team this year, the Vikings should see another competitive team again next season. The remainder of the squad is eligible to return once again on a quest to find podium greatness for a second consecutive year.

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1