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.
Playing in the Regionals last month, the Creighton Community Schools boys' volleyball team went 1-2 against some of the top teams in the province. Starting their games out on a Friday night, where the team generally is slower, the Kodiaks creamed Preeceville 25-8 and 25-17. Saturday's games weren't as kind to the Kodiaks as they lost both Ð against the host Langenburg and then against Strasbourg. Jason Straile Ð who attended in place of coach Janel Pearson Ð said the "team played really well." He said the team continued to battle the whole weekend. "They never gave up when they were down when they easily could have given up," he said. Even though they didn't continue on to Provincials, Straile says the team worked well and were able to build character. Stressing that the team never gave up, he said it was a good volleyball weekend. "I really couldn't have been prouder of how well they worked," he said. The Regionals were the last event for the Kodiaks, but he says they had a good run this season. Though she was unable to attend the final tournament of the season, coach Pearson says she is proud of her team. "My main goal was to build an atmosphere of a team," she said. "There were a lot of individuals before and I worked hard ...and I think it came together." Coming together as a team, Pearson said she was pleased with the team's success this season. "I was really happy with all of our finishes. Simplifying things on the court really made things easier," she said. Since the start of the season, Pearson says it wasn't just the team atmosphere that improved. "Definitely passing and court sense (has improved)," she said. "That's big. It's not as impressive as hitting, but it's really important to have an idea of where to play the ball." Also, the team was able to work on their aggressiveness at the net, blocking and battling it out with opposing players on the other side of the net. All in all, it's been a good year for the Kodiaks as they surpassed the .500 mark early on in the season. "With a team as young as we had, that was great," said Pearson. Though she wasn't there in person, Pearson says the "boys gave everyone a good game Ð close games." Pearson said the things they had been working on all season had clicked when it came to Regionals and they were able to work more as a team for that weekend. Through the season, Pearson has praised her Grade 12 students as they have taken on the leadership role. "I was really impressed with (them)," she said, noting they showed good behaviour and they were good leaders. "I was really partial to Tyler Rice this year," she said. "He was outstanding. "We missed him when he was gone. He held things together on the court. He had good court sense." Not just picking out Rice, Pearson said all the players brought something different to the team. Four of the players will be graduating this season Ð still leaving the team with a good size. With 11 eligible returning players, Pearson says the team should be comparable next season. "It was a fantastic season. I enjoyed watching the boys improve," she said. "I hope that we have created some lifelong players." As well as working with the players, Pearson said it was great to have a coach from the community step up and work with the team.
