OLDS — The École Olds High School (ÉOHS) senior boys’ volleyball team is gearing up for a potential big test against a major rival: Olds Koinonia Christian School (OKCS), during their home tournament Oct. 13-14.
Spartans head coach Kristy Hartt describes OKCS, which beat them earlier this fall, as “our toughest competition every year.”
“They have a good program there and the interest level for volleyball is high, so many of the kids who play there have been playing together since Grade 7,” Hartt wrote in an email to the Albertan.
“We lost to them in three sets, so are looking forward to facing off against them again, hopefully at our home tournament.”
“We need to be in the game right from the time we step on the court against them and not give them an inch when it comes to our defence and offence,” Hartt added. “A strong serving game will serve us well.”
This year, there are 11 players on the Spartans senior boys volleyball team, down a few from last year’s squad.
This season’s co-captains are Grade 12 students Liam Hartt and Grayson MacDonald.
“They are a great duo that have excellent leadership qualities and really lead by example,” Hartt wrote.
“Liam is close to 6'5" now, so he steps on to the court as our tallest player. He has plans to pursue post-secondary volleyball, so he is a good anchor for our team.”
She said MacDonald is “a workhorse like no other and can play any position and succeed at it, due to his skill level and work ethic.”
Ethan Giesbrecht is the team’s number one setter.
“He has a huge role to fill on our team, as he is in on every play and rarely gets a sub. He is always willing to show up and put forward his best effort,” Hartt wrote.
Hartt said one advantage for the team is it contains a core of players who have experience, some of whom have even played club volleyball.
Right from the get-go this season, injuries and unavoidable absences have plagued the Spartans.
“Early in September, we had some injuries and illness that shortened our bench considerably and I have been in and out on the bench and in the gym, due to an ailing family member," Hartt wrote.
She added that one of the team’s starting middles injured himself during the team's second practice.
"He has yet to step on the court for a game,” she wrote.
As a result of all those factors “we haven't started our season with all engines running,” Hartt wrote. “We are looking forward to a fresh start here in October.”
The team also includes some multi-sport athletes as well, so as of last week, the Spartans had not yet held a full team practice with everyone present and healthy.
“That may be our biggest disadvantage thus far, is the lack of consistency and team cohesion," Hartt wrote.
On the plus side, the Grade 11s on the team have shown up to every practice, so they will learn a lot from the vets; knowledge that can be utilized next season as well.
“We are gritty, so we know how to work hard and will be sure to improve as the season goes on,” Hartt wrote.
“We have had a few players who have stepped into new roles early in the season, as they had no choice, and they have all handled it extremely well, so this just shows me that there is a willingness to learn and put forward the effort needed to succeed as a team.”
