Was there any doubt?
After a stellar season of silver and gold – four gold medals and seven silver medals to be precise -– the Canmore Collegiate High School Junior Boys volleyball squad capped off a dream year with a Zone Championship victory Nov. 19 in Calgary.
Undefeated through the preliminary round, Canmore’s Crusaders defeated George MacDougall High School, Springbank Community High School and Cochrane High School. That set up a first-round match-up against Brooks, a team the Crusaders dispatched in two games straight.
Springbank was Canmore’s next opponent. Having defeated the team earlier in round-robin play, Canmore pulled out an encore victory and a ticket to the final, playing their best volleyball of the tournament.
Finally, hometown Foothills Composite was the only barrier between Canmore and the championship title. Perennial favourites and winners of four of the past five zone championships, Foothills appeared to be the toughest opponent to date.
The Crusaders began well, set on minimizing Foothills momentum and keeping the home crowd out of the match. The plan worked, and Canmore took the first game 25-19.
In the second match, the Crusaders followed the same game plan. Foothills played into their hands, Canmore grabbed a 25-18 victory and the title was theirs.
Head coach Bill Praught said the victory was especially sweet given the fact it was on Foothills Composite turf.
“It was a proud moment for CCHS to win in their gym,” Praught said.
Praught was extremely proud of his team and singled out Ian Chevalier as a key member of the championship squad.
“He was consistently a top player in every tournament in which he participated, earning numerous most valuable player and all-star awards. His presence made the Crusaders one of the best junior teams in Alberta.”
