SMS volleyball back in action this fall

TIMES FILE PHOTO

By Cole Parkinson
Taber Times
cparkinson@tabertimes.com

Students are back in class and now student-athletes are preparing for their respective sports throughout the fall and winter. The St. Mary’s Auroras volleyball team played in their first tournament this past weekend as they hit the road to Lethbridge College.

“On Friday, the girls played very well in their round-robin play, winning games against Cardston and Senator Gershaw guaranteed a top two finish,” explained coach Matt Marchesin.

With a great start to the tournament, the Auroras put themselves in a great position. But before the playdowns came, the team had a match against Medicine Hat to determine who would finish top of the pool. The Auroras split sets against Medicine Hat High and won the tiebreaker to finish at the top of the pool.

“Finishing top of the pool was well earned and deserved for the team,” said Marchesin.

With a top finish in pool play, expectations were high heading into Saturday. Unfortunately, the Auroras fell short in their quarter-final match and their semi-final game on the consolation side. Overall, the Auroras finished seventh out of 16 teams in the tournament. While it was an unideal end to the tournament, the coaching staff is excited by what they’ve seen so far.

“This is a great tournament for the beginning of the season. We get an opportunity to play against teams inside and outside our zone,” added Marchesin.

This season, the Auroras will be competing in the 1A South Zone and Marchesin says their goal is to qualify for the 1A provincials which are being held in Picture Butte in November. The Auroras hosted their first home game as well and beat Immanuel Christian.

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