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.
The Hapnot Kopper Kweens Senior Girls Volleyball team travelled to Winnipeg last weekend to compete in the AAA Manitoba Provincials. The Kweens were seeded ninth out of 10 teams. They were placed in Pool A, where teams seeded first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth compete against each other. Thursday was the first day of competition where the Kweens played University of Winnipeg (third) and Sanford (first). They knew it would be very strong teams to have to play the first day. The Kweens went toe-to-toe with the U of W until about 16 points Ð when the strength of the two powers from the University team overcame them. The Kweens went toe-to-toe again until about 16 points in the first set and against could not handle the amazing Chloe Reimer, who is one of the best 17 year old players in Manitoba. It truly was beautiful to watch her skills! The Kweens went home Thursday night feeling a little defeated. Friday, being a new day and new competitors, gave hope to the team. The Kweens played Swan Valley (seventh) and Linden Christian (fifth). The Kweens took care of business with winning two sets straight with Swan Valley. They knew they had fourth place locked, but they also knew that wasn't going to be good enough to advance to the top four. The next game was against Linden Christian, who they had met twice at out of town tournaments and had lost both times to them. The Kweens had something to prove to this team. Again, the Kweens took care of business and beat them in three sets. It truly was an upset for a ninth ranked team to knock out the fifth ranked team. This win gave the Kweens third spot in Pool A and needed to play the second spot team from Pool B. At this point, the Kweens knew that the door was opening to getting into the top four rankings. Saturday was the play-off day where the Kweens played College Belliveau. The Kweens won the first set. There was the real hope to making to to the top four. The pressure that they weren't sure if any Hapnot team had ever got into the top before was looming on all of them. College Belliveau won the second set. It took three sets to determine who was going to the final four. College Belliveau did prevail and beat the Kweens. These Provincials for the Senior Girls Kweens' team was a bittersweet experience. These girls were, without a doubt, capable to belong in the top four AAA Volleyball ranking, yet there can only ever be one winner. These girls are not only amazing athletes, they are also honour students, band students and leaders in our community. The Senior Varsity Girls Team consists of Caitlyn Davidson, Melanie Wallaker, Jaycee Halpin, Maggie Ryan, Danielle Lam, Brandi Hanna, Jamie Fleuty, Celine Leclair, Sarah Petalik and Samantha Breedon along with coaches Gord Halpin and Cathy Davidson. Success is not only measured by wins, but measured by the many positive attributes and determination of the athletes involved. These young women are to be congratulated for all the years of hard work and dedication to the sport of volleyball. Hapnot Collegiate should be honoured to have these young women belong to their school.
