Lomond to compete in Deep South Volleyball League 2025 season

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

At the March 31 Horizon School Division (HSD) board meeting, trustees carried a motion to include Lomond Community School’s senior boys volleyball program in the Deep South Volleyball League during the upcoming season.

 Melissa Gartly, principal at Lomond Community School, sent a letter to HSD requesting that the school’s boys volleyball team be accepted as competitors. She said, “We are asking that you consider making an exception for us. It would mean a change in scheduling for one year, but the impact it would have on our team would be immeasurable.”

She promoted her school team by explaining that a core group of five highly committed and talented Grade 12 athletes had demonstrated their dedication to the sport and the school spirit after playing as a unit since Grade 9.

 She said the team has shown it can compete at a high level, as evidenced by its success in tournaments. “They are eager for the chance to test themselves in a competitive environment that matches their skill level on a weekly basis, and we firmly believe this league is the right fit. A spot in this league would allow them to compete consistently on a weekly basis and give them the opportunity to challenge their competitive natures.”

 Gartly suggested that by filling in the gaps where league teams have bye weeks, the change would require only a minor schedule adjustment for one season—presumably meaning that once the core group of Grade 12 team members graduate, the school would exit the league.

 If Lomond’s location could be considered a deterrent, Gartly said that based on last season’s schedule, teams would only have to make one trip out to play at “a great facility to host games in.”

“We are committed to giving these student-athletes the opportunity to compete at the highest level they can before they graduate,” Gartly said. “This is about more than wins and losses; it’s about rewarding their years of dedication with a chance to compete in a league that matches their ambition and ability. Again, we ask that you make an exception. Based on our school population we cannot commit long term, however, this team and its coaches have already committed the last four years to driving countless hours and practicing in order to be competitive.”

 When the request came before the school board it had already been approved by Marie Logan, HSD board of education chair, and required only a brief discussion. The school in Lomond is a member of the HSD and one board member said, “Melissa makes good points in writing about it, about the importance of this particular team, but it is a one year thing, so I can see from the league perspective too.”

 The motion to approve the application succeeded after the board agreed it wanted to “create an opportunity for students to have the best possible situation.”