The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Bailey Streitle's goal is simple: she wants to earn a spot with Team Saskatchewan's under 16 squad. There will be two teams competing in the Midget Western Elite Championships for volleyball in Edmonton and she was among 50 people selected from a group of 88 after the first cut. "I was actually surprised and happy obviously," Bailey said, as she received news from Team Saskatchewan regarding her selection the same day she was contacted for the story. "To make the top 50 is a pretty big thing." Bailey recently returned from Regina for the first tryout. The second will take place in Saskatoon at the end of May. Helping Bailey make it past the first step was Jason Straile, a physical education teacher in Creighton. "He has pretty much taught me how to play," she explained. "He helped me unbelievably. He wants this as much as I do. He's dedicated a lot of time." For Bailey, it means a lot that he cares this much and wants her to succeed. "Before I made this last camp I kind of did (feel pressure)," the 14-year-old explained. "I wanted to make Jason proud of me." Straile, who wasn't available for comment, told Bailey that she couldn't disappoint anyone. While she no longer feels pressure to make the team because the support she has, there is something on the line. "There will be scouts watching for universities," she said, which provides chance for a scholarship. "I would play for any university team," she said. Bailey said she was scared at first during camp and had nerves, but after loosening up and making friends, that subsided. The biggest area where her game improved was mentally. "I'm more confident in my skills," she said. "I'm confident in what I can do. So what are her strong skills? "I'm not too sure," she said, with a mild laugh. "I don't know if I could pick something out." With the added confidence, Bailey said she feels she can make the team. She won't go as far as guaranteeing a spot, but the belief is there. "I know where I stand with the other girls," she said. "I feel that confidence was the thing I was lacking." Stephen Leggitt, tech director for Team Saskatchewan, said there were two things about the power player that stood out. "Her attitude which was very positive, and her work ethic-she works very hard," Leggitt said. "If Bailey is to make it beyond the next camp, she needs to continue to work hard and her play at the net need's to become more dominate," he explained. "She needs to control the ball and area around her." One thing she noticed at camp is a difference in skill level with the other players. She was the only one not part of a club. She proved that you don't have to be in one to have success, just desire and wanting to get better. Her passion for the game has blossomed since she was in the sixth grade. "I'm good at it and it makes me like it," said Bailey, who is in Grade nine. "I've grown to love it."
