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NBCHS Senior Girls Vikings charge into provincials

Nov 15, 2018 | 5:10 PM

The North Battleford Central High School (NBCHS) Vikings Senior Girls volleyball team are coming off a win at the 5A Girls Regionals last weekend and are now off to provincials this weekend, aiming for continued success.

With two pools of four, the girls from NBCHS played three games in the round robin at the regional tournament, refusing to drop a single set, going undefeated through their three games to clinch a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

In the semifinals, the Vikings played P.A. Carlton, where they were handed their first bout of adversity, dropping their first set, before storming back in the ensuing two to take the matchup and move on to the finals against P.A. St. Mary. In their faceoff against St. Mary, the girls once again claimed victory in straight sets, clinching the tournament.

With a 64-6 record on the season, coach Jana Friedenstab said the team has already had some big game experience to draw back on, with many of the students playing on her club team in addition to the high school squad.

“We won the U-16 Provincials this year in Saskatchewan,” she said. “They’ve played together a lot and most of them have been with me since Grade 6, competing at very high levels already. They’ve played out of country and played under pressure a lot.”

In addition to the big game chops and obvious skill, the teamwork and belief within the group is another aspect the coach has noticed as a critical element, translating to the Vikings’ success on the court.

“They have each other’s back, they trust each other as well, which is also important,” Friedenstab said. “You can have the best players on a team, but they also have to play as a unit, and we really do play as a team.”

At provincials, where teams such as Saskatoon’s Holy Cross, Regina’s Campbell Collegiate, Balgonie’s Greenall and Prince Albert’s Carlton high schools await, with the top four going on to the playoffs from there.

 

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1