Innisfail High School's volleyball season came right down to the wire with the Junior Varsity (JV) girls Cyclones squad playing in a three-team playdown for sixth place on Nov. 5 but falling short in the third game of the match.
Innisfail High School's volleyball season came right down to the wire with the Junior Varsity (JV) girls Cyclones squad playing in a three-team playdown for sixth place on Nov. 5 but falling short in the third game of the match.
With the prospect of qualifying for the Central Alberta Sports Athletic Association (CASAA) playoffs, three teams tied for sixth place were forced to play a mini-tournament to qualify as the final team for the six-team playoffs in Wetaskiwin on Nov.6. Rocky Mountain House and Ponoka travelled to Innisfail to determine their final placement.
"The girls won the first game in the match," said Dean Lockhat, the team's coach. "It was a great improvement over their play the previous day against the same team. They showed intensity and a great will to win."
The Cyclones won the first game against Rocky Mountain House but the hometown team lost the second 28-26 after leading 24-18. The loss put the two teams at one game each in the best-of-three showdown.
"We lost the third game, and as a result our season ended with a hard- fought series," added Lockhat. "Coming up from Grade 9 last year, this season was a good opportunity to transition into senior volleyball and they all improved. Elizabeth and Rebekah Maciborsky were our on-court leaders and kept everyone going."
Jeff Anderson, athletic director of Innisfail High School, noted the girls fought hard to win and they represented Innisfail with total class in CASAA.
Meanwhile, the senior high girls team lost their final set in four games to Rocky Mountain House to end their season finishing out of playoff qualification after a season of close matches.
"We were never blown out in any of our games," said Anderson. "From where they started to where they ended up, I was so impressed with their growth as players and athletes."
The athletic director added some of his players would be trying out for club volleyball at Red Deer College with the Queens to gain valuable experience and skills.
"I will be helping coach U-16 with the college this year and hope to see some of our girls make the top team," said Anderson, who previously coached at the college level.
With the JV girls facing playdowns, the JV boys team finished in fourth place in the league and will play in Camrose on Nov.6 to finish their season.
"The Grade 9 girls team did not make the playoffs but were only one win away from making the final tournament," said Anderson. "The girls came a long way and there was a lot of team and individual growth."
