The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs intermediate girls volleyball team had a strong finish to the season, and made excellent strides on the court.
The Elecs wrapped up their season by finishing second at the district tournament in Weyburn on Tuesday. They won their first three matches but lost to the host Weyburn Comprehensive School Eagles 2-0 (25-13, 25-23) in the final.
“The team played very well, and were very strong and definitely came in with the mindset of knowing what to do and what we had to do as a team. We just had a predictable finish,” said coach Tamara Franklin. “It’s pretty hard to play against Weyburn, especially when they have older players on the team.”
ECS had Grade 9s and 10s on their team, while Weyburn had Grade 10 and 11 students. ECS was close with them throughout the season.
Franklin was pleased with how the Elecs served and put the ball in play, and covered more of the court.
“It wasn’t necessarily all about the first attack, it was about covering and making sure that you move the ball around, or get to the ball, not letting the ball drop,” said Franklin.
Earlier this month, the Elecs held their home tournament Nov. 1 and 2, which had teams from Carnduff, Yorkton, Lampman, Radville and Carlyle. ECS finished first in the round robin and defeated Lampman 2-0 in the final.
“Through that weekend, everything just came together,” said Franklin. “The girls were communicating. They were playing collaboratively and cohesively and just making smart plays. We came together at a really great time, which is our home tournament, so we pretty much put on a good display for the crowd and ourselves.”
The players have come a long ways. Most of them are in Grade 10 and were on last year’s team, and they took their skills to the next level this year.
Franklin encourages them to get involved in club volleyball now that the school volleyball season is finished.
“The senior girls (team at ECS), the coach is looking for a few more girls for next year, so I really hope these girls on my team will step it up and try out for next year,” she said.
They also competed at a tournament in Brandon, Man., this past weekend, and that tournament helped to prepare them for districts.
Next week’s edition of the Mercury will have more on district volleyball results in the region.
