INNISFAIL – Christian Damgaard is not prepared to settle for second best this season - nor a fifth place showing - for his senior boys’ volleyball team at Innisfail’s St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School.
And while his 12-player Bears’ squad may not be the biggest team in the Chinook's Edge North Athletic Association (CENAA) they have experience, discipline and heart.
So much so, his goal for the team this year is to finish first in CENAA, not fifth, like last season.
“Our goal is always to win, but the truth is that getting into CENAA finals would be huge,” said Damgaard, who is the team’s coach. “And from there I think these guys can beat anybody on any given match.”
So far this young season, the seniors are off to a good start. They have defeated squads from Delburne and Penhold to sit at two wins and no losses.
“Penhold is really good and big and experienced,” said Damgaard, noting Penhold had 12 Grade 9 players, while his squad has five Grade 9s, six in Grade 8 and one Grade 7. “Penhold had at least six or seven guys taller than my tallest guy. We just don't have tall kids this year.
“We had a long five-set match. It was a lot of fun. The boys ended up winning it.”
Going forward, Damgaard believes his team has what it takes to go all the way, without worrying about getting big hits at the net, but concentrating on fundamentals, like court coverage and sound positional play.
“I would say we're a team that keeps the ball alive and off the floor as often as possible; being in the right position and then reading where the play is going,” said Damgaard. “When you're facing a six-foot three kid who can pound the ball we're not going to get a block touch on a lot of those.
“Being in the right position, and being willing to receive something that's coming at you really hard is a really big thing for these guys, and it's what their strength is.”
For now, the senior boys will play out the seven-game regular season towards the playoffs in the first week of November.
In between, St. Margeurite will engage in tournament play, including at Red Deer’s École Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School the weekend after Thanksgiving.
