The Olds High School junior varsity (JV) boys' volleyball team has a strong record, heading into zones this weekend (Nov. 16 and 17) in Airdrie.
There are no provincials in JV action, so the zones are the "apex" of the season, head coach Jordan Cleland says.
As of last week, the Spartans had won 23 matches and lost nine, for a winning percentage of more than 70 per cent, according to Cleland.
"In four JV tournaments and two Grade 9 tournaments, we've finished on the top three podium five times: three third places, one second place and we won our own hosted tournament," he says.
The team consists of nine Grade 9s and three Grade 10s.
"Most junior varsity teams are exclusively grade 10 and 11 players," Cleland says.
The Spartans don't play in a league because there isn't one for JV boys in CESD (Chinook's Edge School Division) south, so they have played in a lot of tournaments.
"Going into the zone championships we are aiming to finish on the podium, and think winning it all would be very tough, but certainly possible," Cleland says.
He notes so far, the Spartans have played all but two of the teams that will be at zones.
They split with Highwood (High River), lost to Cochrane, and beat Strathmore, Springbank, George McDougall (Airdrie), Bert Church (Airdrie), Bow Valley and Canmore.
"It's a tough zone for Olds -- always is," Cleland says. "We could reach our podium goal, or miss it by several spots. We'll find out November 16 and 17."
The Spartans don't have a lot of height, compared to other teams they face.
"We're younger and smaller than most of our opponents," Cleland says.
But they have other advantages.
"We dig really well, we pass pretty well and we obsess on serving percentage and serving accuracy," Cleland says.
"Most teams give away anywhere from six to eight points a game on missed serves, which is a point the other team gets for doing absolutely nothing to earn it.
"Our kids have been obsessed on getting our serves in -- making them difficult to pass, but getting them in, first and foremost, and not giving away free points."
Overall, Cleland says the Spartans' defence is good, although he describes their blocking skills as "so-so."
"We're scrambly," he says.
Unity is key.
"They play very well as a team. There's no dissension or animosity on the team; they all get along super well. They bust their tails in practices and they're very much an all-for-one-and-one-for-all team."
